Month: August 2023

Country artist Benn Gunn is releasing his new single, ‘Let Their Voice Be Heard’, and urging Australians to vote yes in the upcoming referendum.

“It’s long overdue that we are proud of our indigenous Australians. They’re the longest surviving culture on earth which makes them the greatest survivors in human history.”

Indigenous Australians developed their own society, culture, and strategies that helped them survive and thrive in some of the most hostile environments on earth for over 60,000 years.

But that survival was threatened during colonization. From the late 1700s right up to the 1920s, State Governments in Australia sanctioned the hunting down and killing of Indigenous Australian men, women and children.

If you Google “aboriginal massacres” you’ll find over 270 cases where Indigenous Australians were murdered in large groups, over 140 years of colonization. And those are just the documented cases. Then we had systemic racism, the stolen generation, stolen wages … the list of injustices done to Indigenous Australians goes on and on.

Even their history has been stolen. We know from the early explorers there were yam fields that stretched to the horizon with soil so deeply cultivated you could put your arm in it up to the elbow. There were yam pits dug so deep a man could stand in them and there was real danger a horse might fall into them.

Calling Indigenous Australians hunters and gathers doesn’t even begin to describe the huge diversity of different cultures that were here before colonization, all the way from Islanders who grew their own food, to the desert people who were mostly nomadic.

In 2017, 250 Aboriginal and Islander delegates from all over Australia gathered at Uluru and gifted us with the Uluru Statement, From The Heart, a document that outlines a process to bring all Australians together, and bring pride and self determination to Indigenous Australians.

The first part of that statement is a voice to Parliament … a body of Indigenous Australians elected by their local communities who can consult with the executive of the Australian Government and give them feedback on legislation that affects Indigenous Australians. It doesn’t give them any special powers, just the right to give feedback.

Just a little feedback has the potential to save Australians hundreds of millions of dollars.

Most Indigenous Australians today have family stories of their ancestors being killed or taken away by the Government. Many are still alive today who experienced or witnessed it. Understandably, most have some distrust towards Governments at all levels.

Federal Government spending on Indigenous Australians, including health and other essential services, is currently approximately $4.5 billion dollars a year. That distrust means government programs with excellent intentions can struggle to find wide acceptance among Indigenous People.

With Indigenous Elders giving feedback on programs and policies, their acceptance and their implementation is likely to improve substantially. Even if outcomes on Indigenous spending improved by just 10%, that’s a saving of $450 million dollars a year for our Federal Government.

The second verse of Benn’s song, ‘Let Their Voice Be Heard’, powers into an up-tempo, celebratory mood. He sings “With our generations reconciled the day can finally come, where our whole nation stands with pride, and we all walk as one.”

With the referendum we have an historic chance to recognize Indigenous Australians in our constitution and give them that voice of representatives they elect from their own communities.

“It’s time to come together and make a brand new start.” – Benn Gunn

“This is the song of the summer for that person you’re sweet on” – Ashleigh Dallas

Ashleigh Dallas’ new single, ‘Sweet For You’, sees the multi-award winner get in touch with her romantic side.

Stemming from an afternoon of banjo and fiddle practice, ‘Sweet For You’, celebrates the happy chapter she is in, in her life.

“I wrote this in 2022 and the idea came to me as a fiddle melody that worked with the lyrics,” Ashleigh said.

“I sat on the chorus for a week before I finished it. The theme of the song is about having your head up in the clouds and all the good things in life.”

“It is dedicated to my husband, Chris, but I’m not one to often write a lot of love songs, but I am in a great chapter of life and we’ve got the girls (daughters Harriet and Lillian). This is a song that is really relishing in all of those happy, feelgood vibes.”

‘Sweet For You’ also harks back to ’90’s country with a nostalgic, Cajun feel.

“I’d love my listeners to get a euphoric joy from this song, from the mix of instruments and the whole concept of the song because it’s a song that embraces all the joy and the good things in life,” Ashleigh said.

Ashleigh said she’s no matchmaker, but agreed that this could be the song to send to someone you’re sweet on that you’d like to share the love and joy with.

Launched at the Gympie Music Muster, ‘Sweet for You’ is released on August 25.

“To be heading back to the Gympie Music Muster, where it’s been many years since I’ve played, I’m very excited to be launching this at the festival,” Ashleigh said.

“The Muster is one of our most cherished festivals and, as a young kid wanting to have country music as a career, it was a bucket list festival to play, so it’s humbling to be involved in it and a festival you want to do your best at.

“It means so much as an artist, but it means a lot to the country music lover to be there, too. I feel this is that perfect song for a crowd to engage with and have a dance.”

Ashleigh showcases her musical talents throughout ‘Sweet For You’, featuring on fiddle, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and banjo with electric guitar and other colour instruments played by her dad and producer Brett Dallas. In the engine room of the rhythm section is brother Lindsay Dallas on bass and Adam McCann on drums.

Three-time Grammy® Award-winning country superstar Tim McGraw has released his highly anticipated new album Standing Room Only on August 25, 2023 via Big Machine Records. Standing Room Only features 13 brand-new tracks and was produced by McGraw and his longtime producing partner Byron Gallimore.

The new album marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. On Standing Room Only, fans can expect an album full of McGraw’s enduring Country sound, distinguished vocals and meaningful songs.

“As an artist, I always want to dig deeper and get better every time I make a new record – it’s a big part of what drives me, and I really believe this is one of the best projects we’ve made. I’ve been working on this album since 2020, and this collection of songs are some of the most emotional, thought-provoking, and life-affirming music I’ve ever recorded,” McGraw shares.

Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at #1 with all titles, totalling 73 weeks, and holds the record for second-most #1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

Acclaimed husband-and-wife duo, Mark and Jay O’Shea (O’Shea), are set to unveil their latest single, ‘Everything Means Nothing,’ on August 25th, 2023. This evocative track promises a rollercoaster of emotions, mirroring their personal life’s unpredictable adventure.

Crafted with lyrics that resound with visceral honesty, the song starts with a candid recounting of a less-than-perfect proposal: “I proposed in Sydney at a fancy restaurant right there on the harbour … But instead of screaming out ‘Yes’, she just managed an ‘Ok, then’,” sings Mark, inviting listeners into the couple’s romantic journey from the opening verse.

‘Everything Means Nothing’ pulls at the heartstrings as it navigates the peaks and troughs of their journey. From “singin’ for our supper in upper Manhattan” to the harsh reality that “you don’t get paid to play music in Music City,” the duo’s experiences, both high and low, underscore a poignant truth: “Everything Means Nothing, without you.”

O’Shea have perfectly captured a universal theme, brilliantly weaving their unique narrative into the shared human experience of love. “Oh the places we will go. And all the things, we didn’t know, we didn’t know” they sing to each other, setting the stage for a love story that’s as exhilarating as it is heartfelt.

Mark and Jay O’Shea continue to stake their claim as world class songwriters and performers winning over crowds from Dubai, UAE to Dalby, QLD, from the Grand Ole Opry to the Sydney Opera House. Their live shows have earned a reputation for being an emotional work-out, and Jay’s iconic vocal’s need to be heard to be believed.

When the couple aren’t adding to the seven Australian Country Music Awards (Golden Guitars) on the mantle, their swag full of number 1 singles and ARIA chart topping albums, they spend their spare time serving as ambassadors for charitable organizations like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and HeartKids Australia.

‘Pour Me A Drink’ from The Scott Howarth Band is the latest country hit that’s about to become your new favorite. With it’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics, this song is all about taking a break from the stresses of life and enjoying a little bit of liquid therapy. Wheather you’re sipping on a beer at the local pub or pouring yourself a whiskey at home, ‘Pour Me A Drink’ is the perfect soundtrack to your next happy hour. So grab a cold one and turn up the colume, because this song is about to become your new anthem. Cheer!!

On a canvas painted in the spectacular Flinders Ranges of Outback South Australia, Alison Hams brings you her new radio single and music video, ‘Broken Ground’.

Telling the harsh contradictions of living on the Australian landscape, ‘Broken Ground’ is the second single release from ‘Out Into The Blue’, Alison’s 2023 album project with husband and musical partner Mark Tempany. The duo’s lead single ‘Lullaby’ launched in May to much critical acclaim and chart success.

Alison’s accompanying ‘Broken Ground’ music video has been filmed in stunning cinematic HD on rugged Edeowie Station, 450km north of Adelaide.

Alison Hams and Mark Tempany have written and performed music since they were kids, and they say that innocence is still alive across their decades of experience.

Ali and Mark have performed all over the world, produced twelve albums between them, and achieved nearly everything as proudly independent recording artists.

Having spent the last fifteen years focused on providing mentorship and music resources to young musicians in relatively remote areas of Australia – in 2023 they have returned with a new original album titled ‘Out Into The Blue’ – their first full album together.

The pair say the circuit-breaker that’s led to the new album was, as for so many artists, the Covid pandemic which provided extra time and space to create when the world locked down.

‘Out Into The Blue’ sees Mark and Alison working with some of the finest music talents in the world – they say recording in the age of high speed Internet has allowed International collaboration never possible even ten years ago.

‘Out Into The Blue’ is available now through marktempany.com and alisonhams.com. There’s 13 new songs included and the duo promise there’ll be several singles and music videos to come over the next year or so.

With the promise of so much more to come – Alison and Mark’s ‘Out Into The Blue’ album project continues to surprise and thrill after the pair’s twenty year hiatus from their decades-long original music careers.

“Watermelon Moonshine” follows the release of Lainey Wilson’s fourth No. 1 single at Country radio and first single from Bell Bottom Country, “Heart Like a Truck”.

“I’m so excited to announce ‘Watermelon Moonshine’ as my next single. This song embodies what Country music means to me, creating a timeless story that will resonate with people for generations to come. This song is about the crazy, young, nostalgic love we all hope to experience.” – Lainey Wilson

Recently breaking the record for the shortest gap between No. 1 singles at Country Radio with her song “Heart Like a Truck” and her “wait in the truck” collaboration with HARDY, there’s no sign of Wilson slowing down. Already this year, Wilson has won four ACM Awards and two CMT Music Awards, completed a 28-date sold-out headlining tour, been honoured as Billboard Women in Music’s 2023 “Rulebreaker”, and started touring stadiums with Luke Combs as support on his world tour.

Fans can catch Lainey this summer at festivals including CMA Fest, Carolina Country Music Fest, Country Jam, Lollapalooza, and Watershed, amidst headlining Red Rocks Amphitheatre and headlining her first arena show at Mohegan Sun before she embarks on HARDY’s The Mockingbird and The Crow tour in September.

ABOUT LAINEY WILSON:

As the leading female nominee and winner at 2023 ACM awards with Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of The Year, Visual Media and Musical Event of the Year and reigning CMA 2022 Female Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry. Critically acclaimed and touted as a top “artist to watch”, to being crowned the most nominated artist at the 2023 CMT Music Awards. The Louisiana native has made a name for herself in the industry as one of music’s hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know”, nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Calvary, and more), Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville, delivering CMA-nominated Album of the Year with her label debut “Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin”.

With rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, and more. After topping the country radio charts for a second time with the two-week No. 1 hit, “Never Say Never” with Cole Swindell, she recently achieved her third and fourth No. 1 song with “Heart Like a Truck” and HARDY collaboration “wait in the truck”. Her critically acclaimed album, “Bell Bottom Country”, reached No. 9 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart, quickly rose to No. 1 on iTunes charts, and has amassed over 350 million streams to date. Most recently, she made her acting debut in Season 5 of the smash hit series Yellowstone as a musician character named Abby, where she premiered her original “Smell Like Smoke” as well as showcased other hits off her recent album including “Watermelon Moonshine” and “Hold My Halo”. Adding to her growing list of endeavours, Wilson was named “Tractor Supply Brand Ambassador”, was honoured at Billboard’s Women in Music Awards with the Rulebreaker Award, and most recently joined forces with Wrangler as the face of their 2023 fall/winter women’s collection.

Rising country singer-songwriter Maddie Cail returns with her second offering in 2023. ‘Drink With Me’ is a song written by Cail that was inspired by the unravelling events post covid. When the cost of living soared to new heights, jobs were lost along with personal hardships, Maddie Cail found inspiration to write this song in hope to lift people’s spirits. Yet again, her quirky lyrics hook the listener with a catchy, fun up-beat chorus. Her lyrics “feet in the sand” relate to her memories growing up on the beach and spending time wakeboarding at dams. Overall, ‘Drink With Me’ is a feel-good song aimed at bringing people together, where they can forget their troubles and enjoy time with family and friends.

“Looking for a fun song you can sing with your friends and forget about your troubles? I have got you covered. ‘Drink with me’ is all that and more. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”

Maddie Cail has enjoyed a wild ride in 2023. From supporting The Wolfe Brothers to upcoming shows at Gympie Music Muster and releasing ‘Giddy Up’ earlier this year, her star continues to shine. Maddie’s previous singles. ‘Better Than I Am’ and ‘Bad Girl Gone Good’ cemented her in the country music scene and the success of every release has allowed her to perform at major festivals, including the upcoming Gympie Music Muster.

Maddie Cail continues to push the boundaries with her cheeky personality, unique tone and quirky original songs and with every release her fanbase grows, ensuring she is making her mark on the country music scene.

Maddie Cail’s new single ‘Drink With Me’ is out to radio on Monday 21st August and out on digital platforms on Friday 25th August.

Donna Fisk writes ‘Mickey Newbury’, a very personal song, and true story, on the way home from a farewell.

“One last ride for my friend Kevin on the back of his beloved Ute, to the march of ‘American Trilogy’ … Memories remain of the good times, all that he was, and all that he is in his absence. I understood the enormity of the loss of someone you couldn’t bare to lose from this world.”

Why the reference to the last Mickey Newbury fan? Of course, he wasn’t, and most certainly won’t be the last, but he was a dedicated lover of his music who felt alone with his passion as the years rolled on in the rich red dirt hills heart of Victoria, Australia.

“It’s truly an honour says Donna, after dedicating the song to his family, they chose the last words etched on his gravestone, The Last Mickey Newbury Fan”.

Donna Fisk is an award winning singer, songwriter, recording artist, producer, and Royal Command Performer, with several number one chart topping hit recordings, and immortalised in the Australian Country Music Hands Of Fame Park.

Woven into the narrative of Australian country music, it’s a family tradition akin to the Dusty, Kernaghan and Chambers clans with father, Gene Bradley Fisk, being a pioneer artist of the outlaw country genre and radio personality inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Donna is a modern day female trailblazer for Australian country music, touring her own show as well as performing and recording overseas, incorporating appearances on local and international media.

The country music star is the voice on many national advertising campaigns including being assigned to perform for the Australian Government campaign song, ‘Building On A Strong Foundation’, as the anthem for The Australian Centenary Of Federation.

Fisk was the face, voice and songwriter of Australian Football League and Channel Seven live game broadcasts theme song, ‘Rock ‘N’Footy!’, ultimately performing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the prestigious AFL Grand final to an audience of millions, which seen the song rocket into the ARIA Charts and football folklore.

During her career, Donna has shared the stage with the acclaimed artists such as John Denver, Donny Osmond, Dame Edna Everage, Tom T. Hall, Canned Heat, Muhammad Ali, Brian Cadd, Susan Raye, James Morrison, Tommy Emmanuel, Dave Dudley, Blood Sweat and Tears, and The Seekers … to mention just a few.

The latest string of singles, ‘Shoulder At The Wheel’, ‘Crying Over’, ‘You Are Christmas to Me’, ‘Drunk On That’, and ‘Be’, all achieve #1 on the Australian Country Radio Chart.

The highly anticipated new album project release titled ‘Be’, was recorded in Nashville with accomplished producer Robert Angello at the helm (Chet Atkins, Suzy Bogguss, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Wariner, Tanya Tucker, Garth Brooks).

Powerhouse Country Pop Songstress, Natalie Pearson, Is Set To Release Heartfelt Ballad ‘Is He Happy’, And Is Announced As A Finalist For ‘Artist Of The Year’ In The Gold Coast Music Awards.

Hot on the heels of previous hit single ‘Not In These Boots’, country music singer songwriter Natalie Pearson returns with a heart-warming new single which touches on the aftermath of a breakup.

‘Is He Happy’ gracefully navigates the terrain of a past love, where the lyric poignantly expresses hopes for the happiness and fulfilment of a former partner. This pop-country ballad delves into the complexities of moving on, while still cherishing the memories of what once was. The song’s poignant narrative explores the bittersweet feeling of wanting the best for someone you once cared deeply about, even if it means accepting a life apart. With its intimate vocals and delicate production, ‘Is He Happy’ evokes a genuine emotional connection with its listeners. The soulful performance captures the essence of vulnerability, making it a compelling anthem for anyone who has experienced the aftermath of a heartfelt relationship. This raw display of emotion invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences, making ‘Is He Happy’ a relatable and deeply personal listening experience. Having written this song many years ago, Natalie felt it was time to release it to her fans as it tells a story everyone can relate to.

“‘Is He Happy’ came from a place of wondering how life panned out for a past love, if they got their happiness and dream family life that they’d always hoped for. It had been in the vault of voice memos for a while, and I finished the write with my producer Jared Adlam during covid.

I had been nervous to release such a vulnerable song or bring up a sad past, but I think it’s a selfless and reflective sentiment to wish someone happiness, let go and release it completely”.

With high rotation adds on major country music stations such as KIX Country, Triple M Country, iHeart Country and ABC Country, Natalie Pearson continues to push the boundaries with each release. ‘Not In These Boots’ garnered attention from Spotify’s editorial playlists Fresh Country and Fresh Country Finds as well as Apple Music playlists and the music video is currently sitting at #16 on the CMT Australia Charts.

Perth born and having resided on Queensland’s Gold Coast for the past 6 years; Natalie has spent that time establishing herself as a dedicated and popular artist with a rapidly growing fanbase. The fruits of this move, hard work, dedication and pure talent have rewarded her with a finalist announcement in the 9th Gold Coast Music Awards where she is up for ‘Artist Of The Year’. This year’s awards receiving a record 937 nominations and showcases the incredible talent and success of the South-East Queensland music industry. Winners will be crowned at a star-studded gala event on Thursday August 31st at HOTA Home of the Arts.