James Blundell – Whiskey Tree

Wonderwheel Music & Aussie Legends Hemp

“CLARITY IS THE BEST DRUG I HAVE EVER TAKEN” – JAMES BLUNDELL

As he approaches his 60th birthday, James Blundell is definitely not retiring anytime soon.

This year has already seen Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, launch James’ acclaimed single ”Almost Anzac Day”, supporting Veterans and their families. It’s also the year James became the recipient of the 2024 Queensland Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to his 9 CMAA Golden Guitars, induction into the CMAA Role of Renown and the CMC Hall of Fame.

Now, this Thursday 4.45PM August 22nd sees James take the main stage with his band at Gympie Muster to launch “Whiskey Tree”, his gloriously catchy foot stompin’, heart stoppin’, country rockin’ can’t get it out of your head new single. Continuing his commitment to promoting and mentoring up and coming country artists James will introduce 23-year-old Cairns singer/songwriter, Jamie Saxon, and 17-year-old guitar prodigy Isaiah Elcham as his special guests.

“Working with Larry and Justin”, says James, “I fell in love with the process of recording all over again. I did not play a single note of any instrument. I was the singer; I was the storyteller, that was my focus. Larry and Justin create the space for you as a singer to become aware of what makes the heart of a song. The best way I can describe what happened to me in America is, I found liberty and clarity, and I am here to tell you (warm laughter) clarity is the best drug I have ever taken.” – James Blundell.

“Whiskey Tree” is framed by the haunting opening line: “Let me tell you in my hometown there’s a thousand ways you can drown” James lays out the facts: “The levee’s broke, the town has disappeared under raging flood waters, all you can hear is the sound of pouring rain – and right there in the middle of this calamity is a survivor whose spent the night stuck on a roof and now as the sun rises all he can see a river of mud and a whiskey tree!” In the face of such monumental disaster, he shouts out “Oh, lonesome me” as the first choppers scan roof tops and trees for any sign of life.

“Whiskey Tree” is not only a story well told, but also music beautifully played and recorded. Produced by the Grammy award winning team consisting of Larry Campbell and Justin Guip at The Clubhouse in rural Rhinebeck, USA, it’s a song that rocks and swings.

The Trade In’s – When The Whisky Stops Working

The latest release from TRAdE IN has a bit more bite than a warm shot of whiskey. They sing about heartbreak and the inevitable cycle of love gone bad. This down-to-earth country rock band knows how to write a passionate country song that hits you like a full bottle of whiskey. When “When The Whiskey Stops Working” and reality sets in, be sure to give TRAdE IN a listen. They’re just a group of good-time musicians playing some quality Country music.

Track Description –

When the pain of a broken heart inevitably overcomes the numbness of inebriation, this song is the result!
It is a tale of regret and desperation that everyone can relate to.

Artist Quote –

I am hanging on, barely getting through when every road leads back to you. Tell me, what am I going to do when the whisky stops working?

Emily Joy – A Little Part Of Me

Get ready to meet Emily Joy, the vibrant coastal cowgirl who’s taking the country music scene by storm! The powerhouse singer-songwriter makes a triumphant return to the genre with her latest single, “A Little Part of Me”.

Heartbreak songs and country music are always going to go well together, and “A Little Part of Me” is a prime example why. Emily Joy makes her comeback with this powerful ballad that delves deep into the inner turmoil following a significant breakup. A tale of perpetual heartbreak, the song elicits passion with an emotional vocal delivery, bright electric guitars and a soaring melody. The lyrics explore the relatable realm of meeting someone new, yet still being haunted by the past. This sentiment is a powerful reflection of the deep impact that a significant love can have on one’s life, leaving an indelible mark that time alone may not erase.

Produced by Aaron Farmer, musical director of Tyler Hubbard and Florida Georgia Line, “A Little Part of Me” was recorded in Nashville. Farmer’s expert production amplifies Emily Joy’s raw emotional delivery, making this track a powerful addition to her musical repertoire.

With a dazzling blend of sass, sequins, and undeniable star quality, Emily brings a fresh burst of yeehaw vibes to every performance. From her roots in Perth to stages in London, Nashville, and Tamworth, Emily has travelled the globe, honing her craft and soaking up inspiration at every stop.

A graduate of both WAAPA and Berklee, Emily boasts an impressive work ethic and a list of accolades that speak volumes. Following the success of her chart-topping single “Barricade,” Emily made a splash as a grand finalist in the prestigious Toyota Star Maker competition. Her accolades continued with a West Australian Country Music Award and a tour with Adam Brand. Most recently, Emily electrified the main stage at major country music event, The Muster, sharing the spotlight with Morgan Evans and Travis Collins.

Emily Joy’s radiant pop/country style merges heartfelt storytelling with modern energy, captivating audiences worldwide. With a substantial following of over 130,000 fans and 4 million online views, her relatable and approachable nature has struck a chord with many.

Emily’s cowgirl Barbie exterior combined with her down-to-earth demeanour makes her a highly sought-after performer. She averages over a hundred shows per year and has showcased her work at renowned venues like the Bluebird Café in Nashville and the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Her vibrant online presence seamlessly translates to her live performances-warm, bubbly, and endlessly fun. So, buckle up, dust off your boots, and get ready to smile, dance, and experience an Emily Joy song that will make you want to leap for joy-and maybe even reconsider that relationship status!

Emily Joy’s new single “A Little Part of Me” is out to radio on Monday 19th August and digital services on Friday 23rd August.

Gord Bamford – Just Gettin’ Started

Australian born/Canadian bred, Gord Bamford is one of Canada’s most awarded country music artists with a total of 26 CCMA Awards. No stranger to his birthplace, Gord has released his new single, “Just Gettin’ Started”, in the lead up to his Australian tour dates starting in October.

As Gord describes it, “Bringing my new music to Australia has been sitting at the top of my wish list for a long time. I am so happy and excited to now have the opportunity to tour and to connect with Australian audiences again. To be able to visit the country of my birth and to play my music there is a gift that means so much to me. The shows in 2023 were all amazing and I can’t wait to come back down-under in October 2024.”

Raised in Alberta and growing up listening to his country music idols on the radio Gord set his sights on a career in country music. Next year will mark his 25th year in the industry. During that time, he has released 10 studio albums and has had 28 x Top 10 Singles, one Platinum Album, two Gold Albums, one Platinum Single and seven Gold Singles in Canada. Gord has achieved in excess of 100 million streams in 179 countries and 5 billion global audience impressions at radio and he remains to this day one of Canada’s hardest working touring artists, performing between 100 – 200 shows per year pending his album release cycle. He now regularly tours Europe as well as Australia.

Alex Mather – Whiskey Neat

After Platinum Records is thrilled to announce the release of “Whiskey Neat” the highly anticipated new single from Australia’s breakout country star, Alex Mather. Following the unprecedented success of his debut single, “That Summer” in 2023, and his debut EP, “The Long Way Home” Mather has quickly become Australia’s most streamed new country artist.

“Whiskey Neat” produced by multi-platinum Nashville producer Jimmy Richie, is set to showcase Mather’s undeniable talent and cement his place in the country music scene. The single features top-tier Nashville musicians who have previously worked with country heavyweights such as Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Tim McGraw, and fellow Aussie, Keith Urban.

A modern country song with an infectious melody, “Whiskey Neat” captures the essence of longing and romance. As Alex croons, “I’m jealous of the moonlight, the way it dances ‘cross your skin, yeah the only thing I do right, is love you, girl let’s go again,” listeners are drawn into the raw emotion and heartfelt sincerity that have become hallmarks of Mather’s music. The song’s captivating lyrics and memorable tune promise to resonate with fans and new listeners alike.

Alex Mather’s impressive track record of producing #1 radio singles in Australia sets high expectations for his latest release. “Whiskey Neat” marks Mather’s second single to Australian radio single, signaling his ambition to continue making a significant impact on the country music landscape.

Taylor Moss – The Women Who Raised Me

Australian country music sensation Taylor Moss is back with her powerful new single, “The Women Who Raised Me” from her highly anticipated debut album, “Firecracker”.

High energy, twangy guitars, and an uplifting drum-beat lay the bed for heartwarming lyrics that detail intimate snapshots of her upbringing and experiences of how the voices of women have served as inspiration to chase her dreams and become the soundtrack to her whole life story. The empowering Country anthem about women, for women.

“Independent and strong, fearless in life and song … I’m grateful for the path they paved me, I owe it all to my ladies,” she confidently sings, naming one-by-one all the powerful female artists who’ve served as beacons of light on her own path to shining stardom.

“If I can follow in the footsteps of the women who’ve come before me and inspire others to fearlessly follow their dreams … I will be complete.”

After celebrating success on hits like “Ain’t no Girly Girl” and “Get it Girl” and now with her bonafide new hit “The Women Who Raised Me”, Taylor solidifies herself as Australian Country Music’s girls’ girl…and we are so here for it!

ABOUT TAYLOR MOSS:

Taylor Moss is one of the most exciting artists leading the new generation of Australian Country music. A proud independent artist Taylor is about to release her fiery debut album “Firecracker” in 2024. Every song shares her journey from how she was raised, the layers of heartbreak, to falling in love and dreaming about her future.

2024 has seen Taylor rocking the main stage at iconic CMC Rocks and lighting up stages around the globe with electrifying live shows in the UK and the legendary CMA Festival in Nashville (USA) where she was the only Australian female to be selected to perform!

Following this she will perform her Headline ‘Firecracker’ Australian Tour in September 2024, Groundwater Country music Festival and return to the Gympie Muster stage.

Taylor has developed into one of the top female country artists in Australia achieving amazing chart success scoring 2 x #1 Hits and 5 x Top #5 hits on the CountryTown Australian Radio Charts and impressive streaming numbers surpassing 10 million (2nd only to Kasey Chambers in Australia in this significant metric) and all this before the release of a debut album.

Every song Taylor releases, is a story telling version of her real-life experiences and these relatable stories have created strong connections with audiences. Ranging from her massive streaming success “Ain’t No Girliy Girl” that Taylor explains “Was me, quad bike riding, fishing, skiing and I believe in the importance of being comfortable in your own skin”. To “Country Proud” (peaked at #1) an uplifting anthemic track on “Firecracker” about being born in a little-known small town that at live shows country folk sing loud with pride.

Taylor shares her success with her songwriting partner & best friend Alys Ffion with their partnership recognised with a prestigious APRA nomination . Taylor also enjoys working with celebrated producers and songwriting collaborators Michael Paynter and Michael Delorenzis as they add a fresh country pop sound that has started to crossover Taylor’s songs to mainstream radio.

A cool surprise has seen the global line dancing community embrace Taylors’ high energy song “Ghosted” spawning hundreds of thousands of streams and online videos around the world. Recent TV appearances on TODAY, Today EXTRA and “Farmer Wants a Wife” highlight Taylors growing popularity across the board.

Keeping it real Taylor is a passionate supporter of the Tradie Mental Health organisation (TIACS) and promotes mental health awareness wherever possible this included the release of her heartfelt song “Real Man” as a valentine to her father from her successful 5 song debut EP “The Heartland” in 2023. Stay Tuned as Taylor loves to entertain her growing audience and her dedicated ‘Mossie Possie’ as her career continues to soar.

A word from Taylor “I really would love to be a role model for young women. I want them to look at me and listen to my music and feel strong, powerful, and beautiful. I think every single human on this earth should feel worthy.”

Vincent Mason – Hell Is A Dance Floor

Announced earlier this year, Vincent Mason signed a record deal with Interscope Records/UMG Nashville/Music Soup and released his debut EP “Can’t Just Be Me”. The six-song project includes previously released tracks “Hell is a Dance Floor “, “Livin’ Proof”, and “May Be”. Entirely penned and co-produced by Mason, the EP encapsulates his relatable journey to finding love and the fun he’s having along the way. Using emotionally vulnerable lyrics and catchy melodies, the Georgia native “is off to a commanding start to his career” (Country Central) and showcases the past few years of his life and the lessons he’s learned thus far.

“This EP is a great representation of everything that’s happened from when I first started writing songs up until now. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to co-produce for the first time alongside Brett Truitt,” Mason explains. “The music sounds exactly how I envisioned and I’m excited to mark this moment in time and have it to look back on one day.”

“I’m so grateful to have Interscope, Universal Nashville, and Music Soup help bring our vision to life and keep building on what we’ve started,” Vincent says of his recent signing. “I couldn’t feel better about the team around me and I’m excited to get to work.”

His break-out single “Hell is a Dance Floor “, which has amassed over 20 million combined global streams, introduced his ability to use “soul-stirring lyrics and infectious energy” (All Country News). Mason was 1 of only 12 unsigned country artists to rack up 1 million+ U.S. On-Demand first-week streams on a track since 2021.

Mason toured alongside Ashley Cooke in 2023 and closed out the year with shows opening for Parker McCollum and Niko Moon. As he continues to share his music on stage, he opened for Miranda Lambert in July then Gavin Adcock on his entire fall leg tour. He was also on the bill for festivals this summer including CMA Fest.

Lexy Clark – Pack Up And Leave

Meet Lexy Clark: The 20-Year-Old Powerhouse Redefining Music from McKinney, Kentucky

Get ready to be blown away by Lexy Clark, the 20-year-old prodigy from Hustonville, Kentucky, who’s setting the music world ablaze with her unparalleled talent. Lexy isn’t just a rising star-she’s a dynamic force whose extraordinary voice, songwriting genius, and electrifying performances are shaking up the industry and establishing her as a true musical icon.

As the lead vocalist of the band Heavy Holler, Lexy is already making a seismic impact with her distinctive sound and captivating stage presence. Her debut single, “Pack Up and Leave,” produced by the renowned Nashville maestro Brandon Moore, is nothing short of a musical revelation. This track fuses heartfelt lyrics with unforgettable melodies, showcasing Lexy’s rare ability to convey deep emotion and artistry.

The excitement surrounding Lexy’s debut is reaching new heights with the release of her debut music video for “Pack Up and Leave.” This visually stunning project, crafted by the visionary Allee Visuals and Perry Music Group, is a cinematic masterpiece. The video features a riveting performance by Darron Sturgill, a celebrated Kentucky artist who plays the male lead. Darron’s intense portrayal and acting flair bring a new dimension to the video, creating a powerful synergy with Lexy’s magnetic presence.

Lexy’s musical journey is a testament to her incredible strength and resilience. Music has become her refuge, a way to navigate the profound grief following the loss of her father to cancer. Each note she sings and every lyric she writes is a heartfelt tribute to her perseverance, transforming personal sorrow into evocative and inspiring art.

Her meteoric rise is further fueled by major support from key industry players. Lexy’s impressive network includes sponsorships from Reno’s Roadhouse of Somerset, Kentucky, and Studio Ink of Danville, Kentucky-partnerships that underscore the robust community backing her as she ascends in the music world.

“Pack Up and Leave” is more than a song-it’s a raw, emotional journey through the struggles of seeking love while battling inner demons. The track’s narrative captures the essence of a young woman’s internal fight, revealing her vulnerabilities and unfulfilled desires with striking honesty.

In a major development, Lexy has signed a distribution deal with Perry Music Group, a multifaceted label and artist service company known for its comprehensive support of both independent and major artists. Perry Music Group’s distribution through The Orchard-one of the leading global music distribution and artist services companies, and a proud member of Sony Music Entertainment. Perry Music Group Director Bryan Wayne Perry who over sees a lot of Lexy’s day in and day out strategic moves has introduced Lexy and her the camp to Spin Doctors Nashville headed by Al Brock a top player in the radio promotions world of the country music scene -positions Lexy for unprecedented exposure and success in the music industry.

To experience Lexy’s remarkable journey and connect with her directly, follow her on all social media platforms @lexyclarkmusicky. With her powerhouse voice, profound emotional depth, and unstoppable drive, Lexy Clark is poised to become one of the most exhilarating and groundbreaking artists of her generation.

Michael Waugh – Fathers Day

MICHAEL WAUGH RELEASES GUT-WRENCHING NEW SINGLE ‘FATHER’S DAY’

‘Father’s Day’ is an emotional rollercoaster ride of a song on which Michael Waugh serves a Father’s Day breakfast of keen observation, humour, pathos and “cold cups of tea with a burnt round of toast on the side.”

This latest single is the work of a master songwriter at the height of his emotionally vulnerability.

“I’ve written often about being a son,” reflects Michael, “but this is the first time I’ve really tried to discuss the joys and pain associated with fathering.”

Michael Waugh’s extraordinary new album Beauty & Truth, released on June 21st, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Artists Country Chart and received glowing reviews from around the globe.

“We are surrounded by so many messages about what men should be, and what father’s should be” reflects Michael, “but we don’t always have the capacity to recognise what we’ve got at the time when we hold their tiny little hands – it is only, perhaps, with age and hindsight, that we recognise what we’ve lost when we no longer hold them.”

Waugh is well known for his capacity to move an audience to tears, leading several fans to wonder why he doesn’t sell boxes of tissues at his merch stand. ‘Father’s Day’ has already become a fan favourite at launch shows around the country, and an album track that has been on repeat for those who’ve already snaffled up the record.

Beauty & Truth is an album by one of Australia’s most eloquent songwriters at the top of his game. ‘Father’s Day’ is at the emotional epicentre of the record’s interrogation of the beauty of love and the pain associated with telling hard truths.

‘Father’s Day’ is out via Compass Bros/UMG on Friday 16th August.

“If you give Beauty &Truth thirty seven minutes of your day, the emotional return-on-investment is off the charts: proof positive that whoever you are, you’re not the only one.”

Alan Cackett – Americana, Country, Roots & Bluegrass Review U.K.

‘Michael Waugh has created a masterful album that more than lives up to its title.”

Rhythms Magazine.

‘When Michael Waugh opens his mouth you should listen.’

The Australian