Month: October 2023

Mark Thornton is a multi-talented guitar player, producer, and engineer based in Nashville, Tennessee.

His experience as a professional guitarist began in the ’80s, in the Los Angeles country western scene, playing at the famous Palomino Club and the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. Between 1997 and up until his death in 2008, Mark was the guitar player for guitar legend Jerry Reed, recording and touring with him throughout the country. While versatile in his playing, his true strength lies in classic fingerstyle guitar (as well as a variety of classic country styles) and being a master of tasteful simplicity and tone.

His studio, Sidekick Sound, was founded in 1994 and has been graced by great pickers and players over the years, including Jerry Reed, Paul Yandell, Marty Stuart, Chris Scruggs, Wylie and the Wild West, and the Davidson Brothers. His production roster includes producing and engineering records for CMH Records, The Pickin’ On series.

He currently plays in and around Nashville with his band “The Sidekicks”, and spends the rest of his time recording, producing, and engineering great records.

Australian Country Music trio RHINESTONED are thrilled to announce the release of their second single Margarita Weather. After blowing the roof off of the venue at their performance at the Groundwater Country Music Festival, mainstream media attention and performances on morning TV, hear for yourself why fans can’t get enough of this ear worm tune.

RHINESTONED features one of Australian country music’s most unique voices Kirsty Lee Akers, joined by her melomaniac husband Jesse Anderson and show-stopping lead guitarist Dan Ebbels.

“Margarita Weather is the perfect song for summer. I wrote it with Troy Kemp while in Nashville earlier this year.” says Akers on the new track. “We were leaving a co writing session and got slammed with the hot Tennessee sun when someone said ‘this feels like margarita weather’ which was a major inspiration for the track.”

The trio decided that this had to be their next single and jumped straight in the studio to begin producing it. “It was funny, we found ourselves asking ‘what would Jimmy Buffet do’ throughout the whole recording process” says Jesse.

When the news came of Buffets passing, the trio were in the midst of mixing the track which Dan says was bittersweet. They then decided that this new track had to pay tribute to the hugely influential musician that was Jimmy Buffet.

Rhinestoned are set to take the main stage at the Groundwater Country Music Festival in QLD on October 20th and are launching their new song ‘Margarita Weather’ on the same day. After the success of their debut single and release of an acoustic EP, the trio are planning to deliver a heart-warming performance to be remembered for years to come.

Hudson Rose, a rising independent voice of the Australian Country Music scene, is set to ignite country music lovers with her latest single, “Dancing On The Tables”, slated for release 30th October 2023.

Following the chart-topping success of “Rules of Breaking Up”, which secured a place in the ‘Top 10′ on the Australian Country Radio charts, Hudson continues to carve a name for herself and captivate audiences with her signature sound and take on life. “Dancing on the Tables” is an infectious vibe that embraces the essence of being young and bussin’ into the weekend.

At just 21, Hudson Rose’s fresh approach connects with people from all walks of life. “This single is all about the blur of a night out with your besties and hangin’ to do it all over again,” says Hudson. “Whether you’re a tradie, in the office, on the road, studying your life away or anything in between, it’s time to celebrate, get out with your mates and have a good time”.

With its catchy, upbeat summer vibe, “Dancing on the Tables” celebrates letting go of the working week, living life to the fullest and making memories on the weekend with late nights and neon lights. “Sometimes there’s no stoppin’ at one. It’s about being young, fun, and just a little undone,” says Hudson. Whether you’re reminiscing about your own wild nights or creating new stories to tell with, there’s no stopping with this track.

Hudson Rose’s previous releases “Rules of Breaking Up”, “Fireflies in Tennessee”, “Misery”, and “Iconic”, have received widespread acclaim and airplay across major radio stations, with a strong presence on platforms like Spotify. Her music has struck a chord with listeners, garnering hundreds of thousands of streams and earning ‘Top 10’ chart placement.

As Hudson Rose continues to make her mark in the music industry, “Dancing on the Tables” promises to be the next infectious hit that propels her even further into the spotlight.

Award-winning Country phenomenon Jelly Roll performed his hit breakout song, “Save Me” for the first time on television during the ACM Awards, bringing the crowd to its feet with an unexpected surprise duet version of his massive hit featuring Lainey Wilson. After independently releasing “Save Me” with a message to his fans, the song tapped into Jelly’s uniquely connective ability to bring fans ‘therapeutic music’, and has long become a show stopping moment during his live shows and continues to generate unprecedented fan response – earning more than 155 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA. The never-before-heard version featuring Lainey Wilson, which is featured on Jelly Roll’s Country debut project – “WHITSITT CHAPEL” – was immediately released on DSPs following the ACM performance.

A 3x CMT Award winner, Jelly has independently amassed more than 4 Billion career streams to date. He scored his first No. 1 on Country radio with his debut Country single “Son Of A Sinner” and earned a two-week Rock No. 1, ‘cemented his rising mainstream stardom’ (Tennessean). Further to this, Jelly Roll’s previous single “Need A Favor” reached #1 on the Country charts in Australia, the US and Europe. The single also reached #1 on the US Rock radio charts!

“Save Me (feat. Lainey Wilson)”, which he debuted at this year’s ACM Awards is Jelly Roll’s next step to furthering his career as a guy who’s managed to buck the trends on his way to becoming one of the biggest up-and-coming names in country music.

About Jelly Roll:
Outright genre-bending singer/songwriter/rapper Jelly Roll has quietly been building a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mix tapes out of his car, he has constantly been releasing new music (more than 24 albums),

touring relentlessly, consistently topping various iTunes charts, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed nearly 2 billion views on YouTube. He pairs deeply personal lyrics with music that blends Old-school Rap, Classic Rock, Country, and Soul to create music that is therapeutic, raw and tackles the heaviness in life.

His 2020 single “Save Me” – a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, with more than 141 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA. Born and raised in Nashville’s Antioch neighbourhood, the former addict and drug dealer released his album “Ballads of the Broken” in 2021, ahead of his sold-out hometown show at the famous Ryman Auditorium, which sold out in under an hour. The introspective 10-track album shows Jelly Roll’s growth as an artist and man, drawing from his personal experiences to tell the story of a man who has been through the ringer and isn’t afraid to share his raw truth, featuring his multi-week No. 1 Rock hit “Dead Man Walking” and his No. 1 Country debut single “Son of a Sinner”. Now after a history-making “breakthrough year” (American Songwriter), having just sold-out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and released the riveting anthem “Need A Favor” along with the soul-stirring ballad “she” from his highly anticipated forthcoming album, the reigning No. 1 of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for 25 weeks is well on his way to mainstream, multi-genre stardom.

I have loved music and singing since I can remember. Our family get togethers were always a musical affair as all my uncles and aunt played instruments or sang, and there are recordings of me singing at these events when I was five years old.

My Dad played in dance bands all my life and I grew up invading band rehearsals at every opportunity when Mum had her back turned. I sang with my Dad’s band from the age of fourteen at all the country hall dances and balls, although I had to be sixteen before I was allowed to sing on stage at the local RSL.

I was raised and still reside at Macksville in the Nambucca Valley, a small town with a big heart. Marrying at 21, I put music on hold while starting a family. I spent four years as a single mum raising two amazing daughters which had its difficulties, but also forged my girls and I into the ‘3 Musketeers’, a bond which is still a force to be reckoned with today.

I married for a second time to the most amazing man God put breath into and he became our rock. He and my girls encouraged and supported my return to music and during this time I went from singing at local venues, to appearing at many events and festivals up and down the Coast.

In 2016 I released my debut album ‘Walk With Me’ which contained twelve songs, eight of which were originals that I felt documented my life up until that point. To my delight, it received great reviews and won prestigious awards. 2016 was also the year my darling husband died of lung cancer and my world was shattered. Music then became my refuge, and I poured myself into songwriting in an attempt to survive my grief.

My songwriting is inspired by observing nature and the beautiful place we call home as well as my own life experience, so it truly lays me open and bare in a way that I hope others can relate to. I hope they hear my songs and feel the echoes of emotions and experiences from their own lives.

Seven years further down the track, and I have just completed a body of work that I am really proud of. My new album titled ‘Ripples’ is a testament to the privilege of experiences and love in my life and the amazing vision, songwriting, and production skills of Angus Gill. It’s a country/folk album full of stories of life and love and inspiration. I hope you enjoy and let the Ripples go on …

Will Day returns with his third single release of 2023 delivering a song that pays homage to old friends, parties down backroads and rockin’ the rodeos. ‘The Way We Are’ (co-written and produced by Gold Coast Producer of the Year, Jared Adlam) is modern country rock at its finest. It’s fun, upbeat, and unapologetic for having a country way of life.

“You get excited about every release, but this one I’m particularly pumped for. This track is slightly different compared to what I have released before in terms of groove, feel and production but it’s still country rockin’ and can’t wait to get it out there”.

Will Day is known for songs that ooze authenticity. A solid live performer who is a constant crowd favourite delivering high energy performances and toe tapping anthems. 2023 has seen Will constantly on the road most weekends performing at festivals and events including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Texas (QLD) Country Music Festival, Smoke in Broke, rodeos such as Sandstone Point and Eaton’s Hill Rodeo as well as headlining shows including an upcoming sold-out Christmas Cruise on the Brisbane River for the second year running.

With radio support from major stations such as KIX Country, ABC Country, Triple A Murri, Australian Country Radio and iHeart Country as well as adds on editorial Spotify playlists including Fresh Country, Fresh Country Finds, New Music Friday and Apple Music’s Aussie Country and 5th Gear across multiple singles, has ensured Will is making his mark in this fast growing genre.

Will Day’s passion for country music is undoubtably strong. Constantly releasing heartfelt ballads to supercharged foot stomping songs has ensured he has continued to build his reputation as one of Australia’s premier country music artists. Each releases delivers a unique fingerprint on the country music scene that will be around for many years to come.

Will Day’s single ‘The Way We Are’ is out to radio on 26th October and on all digital services on 27th October.

National Radio Show ‘Up All Night’ with CMA Nominee Patrick Thomas (WKDF Nashville 103.3FM) and many others are already on board for some “Black Magic” – Rachel Lipsky will be interviewed on ‘Up All Night’, Weds, Nov 1st, with Patrick Thomas. Produced and co-written by #1 Songwriter and Producer, Jeff Coplan (Love and Theft, Tim Hicks, Blackjack Billy). Rachel has had the honor of touring 7 times with Armed Forces Entertainment to Afghanistan, Kuwait, more of the Middle East, Africa, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Kosovo.

National Radio Show ‘Up All Night’ with CMA Nominee Patrick Thomas (WKDF Nashville 103.3FM) and many others are already on board for some “Black Magic” – Rachel Lipsky will be interviewed on ‘Up All Night’, Weds, Nov 1st, with Patrick Thomas. Produced and co-written by #1 Songwriter and Producer, Jeff Coplan (Love and Theft, Tim Hicks, Blackjack Billy). Rachel has had the honor of touring 7 times with Armed Forces Entertainment to Afghanistan, Kuwait, more of the Middle East, Africa, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Kosovo.

Tamworth’s favourite country rockers, The Redneck Gentlemen, are back with the release of their new single, ‘Highway 41’.

This good old-fashioned cruising song will get your feet tapping and your heart racing.

The track was born from the band’s desire to create a driving song that exudes a feel-good, party vibe.

“We wanted to do a driving song,” he said.

“Jared (Scott) came up with the idea for the video clip and the song came from there.”

This marks the fourth single released by The Redneck Gentlemen, following the success of ‘Apple Pie Whiskey’, ‘Four Shots Down’, and ‘Shot Of Tequila’.

“Highway 41 is a good, driving, cruising song, a feel-good tune that’s got a good vibe and a good party feel,” John Lee said.

“It’s not too fast, not too slow, just right.”

Fresh from their three-day stint of gigs at the 2023 Repco Bathurst 1000, The Redneck Gentlemen are gearing up for this release to bring them to the ears of established fans and new listeners, as they work to get on more festival bills.

With a treasure trove of about 16 original songs and a full album recorded at Fat Track Studio in Tamworth, fans can expect more exciting music from the band in the coming months.

During the Tamworth Country Music Festival, they will be gracing the stages at the Longyard Hotel and Courthouse Hotel, with a total of eight gigs lined up for fans to enjoy.

For a taste of the road and an unforgettable musical experience, be sure to check out The Redneck Gentlemen’s latest single, Highway 41; it’ll have you longing to get outta town and on the open road.

CHART TOPPING TRAVIS COLLINS DROPS THE SOUNDTRACK OF THE SUMMER

Nine albums into an incredible career and Travis Collins is hitting new highs with his latest album, “Any Less Anymore”. Debuting at #3 on the ARIA All-Genre Album chart; the highest chart by an Australian country artist in over two years. The album also reached #1 on the ARIA Country Album & Australian Country Album chart and #2 Australian Artist Album chart.

” Any Less Anymore” has delivered four Top 10 singles to date, including the 5 weeks at #1 CountryTown Hot50 chart single, “Runnin’ the Country”, a collaboration with great friends, The Wolfe Brothers. Now as we head into summer, Travis Collins drops the latest track, “Chill”.

As Travis describes it, “Chill has definitely grown on me over the last couple months; the more I played it it’s become one of my absolute favourites on the record. It’s all about wanting to get back out in the world. I wrote this song towards the end of the pandemic, and I remember talking with my wife and saying, “hey, let’s just get on the road, let’s just get on a plane, let’s go somewhere and just sit on a beach chair under an umbrella and drink beer or margaritas, just have a damn good time and chill”.