Month: March 2024

With what could be his biggest single to date, Casey Barnes makes an early stamp on 2024 by releasing the foot stomping new anthem “Mayday”. Following an ARIA in 2022 and a dominant 2023 that included chart topping singles and Golden Guitar wins for Toyota Album of the year and Highest Selling Country Album of the Year. Casey is propelling to new heights with this fresh new single, bigger live stages and an album announcement right around the corner.

“Mayday” follows singles such as “Miracles”, “Never Give Up On A Good Time” and “Boys Like Me” all of which have taken their place at #1 on the CountryTown National Airplay Charts, and all expected to make their way into Casey’s next studio album this Autumn.

Co-written with the world renowned Morgan Evans he states: “We had fun writing Mayday and you can probably hear that in the record! I feel like it really captures Casey’s energy and I can’t wait to see him play it live!” Along with Casey’s comments: “Last year while I was in Nashville the opportunity came up to co-write with Morgan Evans and ‘Mayday’ was the little gem that transpired from that session. I think we both knew instantly that the song was a standout to the point where I remember Morgan saying something like ‘if you don’t cut this single, I will’. And, providing the extra flair, New York producer Andrew Maury (Kacey Musgraves, Lizzo, Shawn Mendes) jumped on the mixing adding brand new elements that turn Mayday into a real earworm.

“When it came to finishing the new album what I was really searching for was that one massive anthem on the record, that was going to jump out at fans and also be great for our live show too” Casey mentions as big festival shows such as CMC Rocks and Stagecoach (Indio, CA) are just around the corner. Soon to be a staple and crowd favourite on the live stage.

Brian Cadd Releases Second Single ‘The One That Got Away’ Ahead Of New Album ‘Dream Train.’

Australian country-rock pioneer, Brian Cadd, is set to captivate fans once again following the January release of his single ‘You Know What To Say’, with his latest single, ‘The One That Got Away,’ released on Friday March 8, 2024. This compelling track serves as a precursor to his forthcoming album, ‘Dream Train,’ which is now available for pre-order and is scheduled for release on Friday, April 5.

Cadd, a trailblazer in the realm of country music, reflects on his musical journey with a sense of fulfilment and excitement as he unveils his latest masterpiece, ‘Dream Train.’ After decades of shaping the landscape of Australian music, Cadd returns to his roots with an album that pays homage to the genre he has always cherished.

“I should have done this 30 years ago.”

‘Dream Train’ represents a culmination of Cadd’s prolific career, drawing inspiration from his rich experiences as a country-rock pioneer in Australia and his tenure in Nashville, the heart of country music.

Commenting on the release of ‘The One That Got Away,’ Cadd shares, “If ‘Let Go’ has a much younger sibling, it is ‘The One That Got Away.’ Born fifty years apart, they share the same parents; all the beautiful slow country songs I fell in love with over the years that talk about powerful personal events and feelings.”

‘Dream Train’ marks Cadd’s first album in five years, following the critically acclaimed ‘Silver City’ in 2019. Robert Rigby, Managing Director of Ambition Entertainment, expresses enthusiasm about Cadd’s return, stating, “We are thrilled to have such a legendary and fine artist on the Ambition label. Brian Cadd has been making music for over six decades. He is truly Australian music industry royalty.”

Renowned for his exceptional song writing prowess, Cadd’s illustrious career has left an indelible mark on the global music scene. His songs, including classics such as ‘Let Go,’ ‘Ginger Man,’ and ‘A Little Ray Of Sunshine,’ have been embraced by audiences worldwide, earning him accolades and recognition from peers and fans alike.

Cadd and his band of ‘naughty musicians’ featuring Pete Robinson on guitar, John Creech on drums, Paul Cartwright on bass, Shane Reilly on pedal steel and Clare O’Meara on fiddle, will launch ‘Dream Train’ with an exclusive Melbourne performance on Friday April 5. They will perform songs from Brian’s forthcoming album ‘Dream Train,’ as well as hits and favourites at Caddo’s most-loved Melbourne venue, Memo Music Hall in St Kilda.

Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes has released his debut full-length album, Luke Grimes. Produced by Dave Cobb, of the album’s 13 songs, ten were co-written by Grimes who “has repeatedly proved that he’s a for-real country artist” according to MusicRow.

“…Grimes demonstrates a kind of creative range associated with artists in their veterancy.” – Associated Press

“Grimes embodies the late 80s new-traditionalists as much as the 70s outlaw greats” – Holler

“His gritty voice a superb vessel for songs including ‘Oh Ohio’ and his debut single

‘No Horse to Ride.'” – Billboard

“Turns out Kayce Dutton [“Yellowstone”] really can sing, without any hint of put-on twang.” – Rolling Stone

“It is a heartfelt neo-traditional country ballad, where Grimes showcases his rich,

rumbling voice.” – Digital Journal

“Grime’s raspy, but versatile, voice that truly marked him as one to watch…” – Desert Sun

Luke Grimes Album Track Listing

Burn (Luke Grimes, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson)
Playin’ On The Tracks (Luke Grimes, Brent Cobb)
Hold On (Foy Vance, Ilsey Juber)
Black Powder (Luke Grimes, Brian Allen, Dave Cobb, Chris Powell)
Ghost Of Who We Were (Luke Grimes, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
Oh Ohio (Luke Grimes, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall)
God And A Girl (Tucker Beathard, Dillon James, Jason Nix)
What Angels Do (Luke Grimes, Ryan Beaver, Bart Butler)
No Horse To Ride (Luke Grimes, Tony Lane, Jonathan Singleton)
Wait For The Rain To Die Down (Luke Grimes, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
Ain’t Dead Yet (Luke Grimes, Aaron Raitiere)
South On 75 (Luke Grimes, Brent Cobb, Dave Cobb, Aaron Raitiere)
Worst Of Me (Hayes Carll)

About Luke Grimes

Luke Grimes is a natural-born creative: an actor, musician, singer, and songwriter who releases his self-titled debut album on March 8. Luke Grimes, produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton) arrives on the heels of Grimes’ gritty, acclaimed 2023 EP, Pain Pills or Pews, and features 13 tracks. Ten songs were co-written by Grimes, including “No Horse to Ride,” which debuted at No. 7 on the Country Songs sales chart in 2022 and accumulated 43.3M release-to-date global on-demand streams. Spotify highlighted the song on the cover of its Country Hits 2023 playlist, with the song in the No. 1 position. Grimes’ recording of “Hold On,” a highlight of Pain Pills or Pews that also appears on Luke Grimes, has amassed 27.4M global streams, adding to Grimes’ nearly 105M total global streams to date of all his music.

Known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit TV drama Yellowstone, Grimes grew up in Ohio playing music in the church and listening to the Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings records his father played him. Later, he moved to L.A. and joined an Americana band as its drummer before relocating to Montana, where Yellowstone films. Now writing in Nashville with hit songwriters like Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, the Love Junkies, Aaron Raitiere, and Brent Cobb, Grimes is sharing his personal story – of the loss of his father and meeting his wife – with country fans.

In 2023 he played upwards of 20 festivals, including Stagecoach, Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival, and Under the Big Sky Festival, and headlined his own sold-out tour. Grimes will make a return to Stagecoach in April 2024 with his highly anticipated full-length album under his belt.

From the Country Music Capital of Australia, Tamworth, Lane Pittman bulldozed through 2023. Now, he is skyrocketing into 2024 with the release of his self-titled EP – “Lane Pittman” with lead track “Let’s Get Lost”, an upbeat and joyous number that transports any listener to an open road in a 4×4. Since supporting Luke Combs on his sold out Australian arena tour, Lane has been on a roll with no signs of slowing down. Selling out his headline show at this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival, nominated for the Golden Guitar New Talent of the Year award and CMC Rocks just around the corner, the timing and excitement surrounding the EP couldn’t be higher.

Familiar songs such as “Love In A Country Town” and ” Ain’t Too Much To Ask” feature in the six track EP and have already seen great success on the CountryTown National Airplay Charts (Love In A Country Town #4 and Ain’t Too Much To Ask #6 ) as well as streaming worldwide over 1.1M times.

Lane describes, “This EP is very much a long time coming for me. I’ve wanted to put music out for as long as I can remember, I just never felt like I had anything to say. That is until we recorded these songs. “Lane Pittman” is a pretty bold statement for a title but I think it’s appropriate, this EP is me. It’s who I am at this early stage, these stories are real, authentic and relatable to me. I’ve loved everything to do with making this EP and I hope the audience will connect to these the same way I have!”

Opening the EP is focus single ” Let’s Get Lots”; captivating, punchy and kick ass drums all throughout. “I love the vibe and almost carefree nature of this song! It’s about not taking it too seriously and living in the moment. Recording this song was a breeze and I loved every second of it. I don’t think there’s a song I’d rather launch the EP with than this one”, Lane shares. Written by U.S legends Eric Paslay, Daniel Ross and Andy Albert and produced by Red Curl and Greg Stace, “Let’s Get Lost ” on the surface is adventurous and carefree, yet also, a subtle reminder not to take life, or yourself too seriously – take a step back and get lost.

Canadian Country Singer-Songwriter Jason Kirkness Returns In 2024 With ‘Right Where I Want You’.

With two successful Australian releases under his belt, Canadian country singer-songwriter Jason Kirkness returns to drop a new single ‘Right Where I Want You’.

After enjoying a remarkable 2023 including incredible accolades such as winner of the Manitoba Country Music Association ‘Male Artist Of The Year’ to a massive 18 weeks on the Top 40 Canadian Billboard Charts and Top 100 Music Row, Jason is starting off 2024 with a bang with the infectious track ‘Right Where I Want You’.

“Reflecting on the romantic and personal challenges of my past and the obstacles I have overcome, I am always aware of how blessed I have been to continue to create some of the best music of my career.” Jason Kirkness

With ‘Right Where I Want You’, Jason continues to share pieces of his heart through music, inviting listeners to connect with music and lyrics. His sincere approach to songwriting and his genuine love for the craft shine though in every note, reminding us of the power of music to unite and uplift.

As he looks ahead to the release of his forthcoming album ‘What Got Me Here’, Jason Kirkness remains grateful for the journey that has brought him to this point. With a deep appreciation for the support of his fans, which includes his new Australian fanbase, and the opportunity to share the music with the world, he humbly invites listeners to join him on the next chapter of his musical adventure – a journey filled with honesty, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the craft he loves.

Jason will be hitting Australian shores for a promo tour from 14th – 20th April to promote ‘Right Where I Want You’ traveling from Sydney to Brisbane and return.

Jason Kirkness’ new single ‘Right Where I Want You’ is out at Australian radio on Monday 11th March.

Michael Waugh is a revered singer-songwriter, a compelling live performer and an extraordinary storyteller. Among his admirers are Josh Cunningham from The Waifs, iconic singer-songwriter Eric Bogle and alt. country luminaries Shane Nicholson and Fanny Lumsden. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Michael has been the recipient of many awards including Folk and Roots album of the Year (Music Victoria Awards), Songs of Peace and Tolerance award (Pt. Fairy Folk Festival) and Heritage Song of the Year (Golden Guitar Awards). His forthcoming album ‘Beauty & Truth’ paints vivid, joyous, funny and loving pictures of growing up queer in rural Australia.

Fix Me is the third offering from the forthcoming album.

“I saw a picture of a man holding a sign that said “You can’t fix me, I’m not broken” and it made me remember what it was like growing up gay in country Victoria and that sense that there was something inherently wrong with me. The way that I walked, the way that I spoke – all of it put me in danger. But seeing that sign made me realise that there was nothing wrong with me to begin with. I wasn’t broken. There was nothing to fix.”

Brittany Elise Launches Into 2024 With First Written And Recorded Nashville Single, ‘Lucky’.

Ahead of another huge year which will see performances and tours in the US and Australia, Brittany Elise will release her first single of 2024, ‘Lucky’ on Friday, 8th March.

The Gympie Muster Australia Talent Search winner and Toyota Star Maker Australia finalist, wrote the song alongside hugely successful Nashville songwriters, Frank Barrier and Alayna Carroll, whilst in the United States.

Brittany Elise says the new track came to life after having a conversation about how small-town people can achieve big dreams but sometimes people forget the hard work that goes on behind the scenes when someone reaches success.

“I started thinking about how I started saving my pocket money from the age of 12 for my very first car, the many heartbreaks and let downs you may go through to find love, and the sacrifices and hard knocks that come with following a dream. The lyrics just flowed. What many of us consider to be luck, for a lot of people is a result of never-ending hard work and difficult choices,” said Brittany Elise.

The production of Lucky came to life in a Nashville studio working alongside Michael and Caleb Flanders. “The day in the studio was so special. I really wanted this song to be a true representation of the Nashville sound. The incredible musicians I was working with in Nashville, took my vision and created something magical,” said Brittany Elise.

It’s already been a huge start to 2024 with Brittany Elise named a finalist in the ICMA Awards for Female Artist Of The Year and Album Of The Year. Her last single, ‘Get This Party Started’ hit #1 on the Australian radio charts.

Brittany Elise is on a roll with her electric performances, just completing a 30-show Something About This Town Australian tour in December 2023. Her festival appearances in 2023 included the 50th CMAFest in Nashville Tennessee, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Deni Ute Muster, NQ Rock’n Country, Airlie Beach Music Festival and Brisbane Ekka.

Brittany Elise has been making waves both in Australia and the United States, opening for US artists Craig Wayne Boyd, The Voice US Winner and Morgan Myles, The Voice US Runner Up, as well as with Australian artists James Johnston, Amber Lawrence, and Darlinghurst. Last year also saw career highlights with sold out album launches and singing the National Anthem at a National Rugby League game.

Brittany Elise has released top 10 debuting singles, ‘Get This Party Started’, ‘Something About This Town’, ‘Like Me That Way’, ‘Feel The Fire’ and ‘Find Your Music’, with two songs hitting #1 on the Australian radio charts, as well as being added to various editorial playlists on both Spotify and Apple Music, and high rotation on countless national radio stations.

Growing up in Central Queensland, Mackenzie May is proof positive that a drive to succeed and a heart for music will turn heads, no matter where you are.

Just a couple of months out of high school, the seventeen year old has quietly, but confidently carved out a place in the country scene and is releasing her first single Little Things on March 1 .

Co-written with Sarah Buckley (The Buckleys), it’s the first recorded taste of Mackenzie May’s work, but it’s been years of shows and paying her dues, graduating from the esteemed Junior Academy of Country Music and becoming a finalist in the 2023 Ekka Country Music Showdown.

Just last month she played half a dozen shows at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, everything from stages to pavements, getting out there in front of people to showcase her songs and walked away with her first professional award and the title of the prestigious Tamworth Songwriters Association’s Novice Songwriter of the Year. Not interested in chasing stardom, for Mackenzie, music is a passion and an art and she takes inspiration from authentic and emotional artists like Chris Stapleton, Colter Wall and Sierra Ferrell.

“I’m really excited to be releasing music for the first time,” she explained. “For me the creative process of writing, recording and performing is what it’s all about and if people like what I’m doing as much as I am enjoying that process then that’s really what I’m hoping to achieve.”

Her first recording experience came late last year as part of a QUT project, followed by a session with producer Jared Adlam where Little Things was born.

“The studio was a really natural space for me and I really enjoy the creativity that studio space brings out,” said Mackenzie. “As an independent artist, you get used to doing so many shows and learning about the reaction your songs get, whether it’s in a cafe or on a bigger stage. The studio gives you the opportunity to take everything you’ve learned from road testing your songs with an audience and create something that represents who you are at a point in time.”

If Little Things is that representation, then Mackenzie May has an extraordinary future ahead. Little Things is an ear-worm, but maintains a country integrity that displays a musical wisdom that explains the accolades and interest that continue to grow over her burgeoning career.

Following the release of ‘Straight Line’ only a month ago, Keith Urban has revealed another new song from a planned new album to be released later in 2024
Asked about the meaning behind ‘Mess Up As Me’ Keith said: “Let’s put it this way. Most of us have been in dysfunctional relationships before, where there’s not a lot of compatibility, except for that one area where it’s so good you put up with all the rest. A phone call or a night out and you’re right back where you shouldn’t be.”
Produced by Keith and longtime collaborator Dann Huff
Keith has sold over 20 Million albums, amassed over 10 Billion streams, won 4 Grammy Awards, 6 ARIA Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 13 Country Music Association Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards

Jake Whittaker Drops New Single, ‘Shoey’.

Fresh from the stage of Toyota Star Maker, singer-songwriter Jake Whittaker rocking the airwaves with his latest single, ‘Shoey’, out March 1.

Love them or hate them, ‘Shoey’ captures the essence of one part of Australian country festival culture with its infectious beats and playful lyrics.

Inspired by an idea from songwriter Gavin Carfoot, ‘Shoey’ embodies the spirit of mateship and mischief that defines the Australian way of life. Collaborating with producer and musician Jared Adlam and Gavin, Jake crafted a song that celebrates the uniquely Australian tradition of the ‘shoey’ with unbridled enthusiasm.

“I’m partial to a good shoey,” Jake laughed.

“Audiences can be guaranteed of at least one at every gig, and I’ve never been sick from one.”

With its infectious energy, ‘Shoey’ is guaranteed to get crowds on their feet, kicking off their boots, and joining in the fun. Whether it’s at a live performance or a rowdy gathering, ‘Shoey’ is the ultimate anthem for letting loose and embracing the Aussie spirit.

As the perfect soundtrack for parties, festivals, and everything in between, there are hopes it could become the unofficial theme song of CMC Rocks.

Prepare to kick your boots off and join in the fun as Jake unleashes Shoey across digital platforms.