Author: admin

Australian guitarist, songwriter and producer  Lindsay Waddington is set to release  “Something of a Privilege,” a special new single written to celebrate  John Williamson’s 80th birthday.Performed by  Lindsay Waddington alongside  Brendan Radford, the song is a warm, nostalgic tribute to one of Australia’s most beloved cultural icons. From  “Rip Rip Woodchip” to  “True Blue,” Williamson’s songs have soundtracked school days, family milestones and the moments that shape who we are.  “Something of a Privilege” reflects on how Williamson has become  “another family member” to generations of Australians — the voice we turn to in both celebration and sorrow.With heartfelt lyrics that paint vivid pictures of classrooms, landscapes and shared memories, the track honours the man whose music has become woven into our national story. Warm, sincere and respectfully crafted,  “Something of a Privilege” stands as a fitting salute to an artist whose storytelling has helped define Australia.A reminder of the legacy John Williamson has given us; this release celebrates the privilege of having lived our lives with his songs alongside us.Lindsay Waddington is an internationally acclaimed country music artist whose career spans more than  35 years as a performer, songwriter, producer and studio owner. A master multi-instrumentalist, he has toured stages across the world, sharing Australian country music with global audiences while earning awards and recognition both at home and abroad.A  2025 Golden Guitar winner, Lindsay has also been recognised with  10 Queensland Country Musician of the Year titles and was inducted into the prestigious  Country Music Hands of Fame in 2019. Across  13 solo albums and numerous collaborations, Lindsay’s work blends technical brilliance with heartfelt storytelling, earning national chart success and the respect of peers worldwide. While his international career has brought acclaim across continents, he remains deeply committed to his roots — ensuring Australian country music continues to thrive on the global stage.Lindsay Waddington has also been shortlisted for four prestigious Golden Guitar Awards in January 2026, including Instrumental of the Year ( Rush Hour ), Bush Ballad of the Year, Traditional Country Album of the Year and the coveted Toyota Album of the Year.Lindsay Waddington embodies the spirit of the genre: a tireless artist, mentor and ambassador whose impact continues to resonate across Australia and beyond.Lindsay Waddington and Brendan Radford’s new single “Something Of A Privilege” is out on streaming services on Friday 2nd January and on radio on Monday 12th January.

ANDREW FARRISS RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “MENDING FENCES,”CO-WRITTEN WITH STEPHEN WILSON JR.

Andrew Farriss AM, one of Australia’s most respected songwriters and the co-founder of INXS, returns with his brand-new single “ Mending Fences” written with acclaimed Americana artist and songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. (Gary, Father’s Son; Took A Walk with Shaboozey).  His creative life today is shaped by strong storytelling, lived experience, and the rhythm of his farm in New South Wales where he writes between tours and seasons.“ Mending Fences is a song I wrote with Stephen Wilson Jr. when I was spending time in Nashville. It touches on the hard life of farmers, their day-to-day routines, and some of the emotional issues they may face. It’s really a tribute to how much energy—physically and emotionally—the world’s farmers put into their craft in order to provide food and products for the entire world.”In 2024 Andrew made his Grand Ole Opry debut, with Keith Urban appearing as a special guest during his performance. The appearance marked a defining moment in his solo chapter.His debut solo album in 2021 delivered radio singles including Come Midnight and Good Momma Bad. You Are My Rock charted on the US Billboard Indicator chart, and With The Kelly Gang earned a Golden Guitar nomination for Heritage Song of the Year.Andrew will release his next album, The Prospector, in 2026, followed soon after by new music through the companion project Thunderbolt.Earlier in his career Andrew helped form INXS, a band that went on to sell more than 75 million records worldwide. INXS earned multiple ARIA Awards, Grammy nominations, a BRIT Award, MTV Music Awards, and induction into the ARIA Hall of Fame.


JAKE BANFIELD RELEASES NEW SUMMER ANTHEM “SUNBURN”
Oklahoma-born genre-bender Jake Banfield touches down in Australia for the very first time this week — and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.“ Sunburn: ,” the follow-up to his single “Lasso,” which hit #1 on Australian Country Radio in late 2025, showcases Jake’s signature sound: a genre-blending fusion of country roots, pop accessibility and alternative edge, all wrapped in honest, emotionally resonant storytelling.Raised on ’80s hair bands, ’90s hip-hop, old-school rap and country music from every era, Jake grew up with tastes that were never confined to one lane. Before stepping into the spotlight himself, Banfield carved out an impressive early career writing for major pop names including Madison Beer, Little Mix and Anne-Marie. After moving to Nashville and reconnecting with his roots, he rediscovered his own voice — and a renewed love for blending genres with emotion and swagger unlike anything else in country music right now.Following his 2025 record Open Bars — a heartfelt, hook-heavy release packed with big feelings and even bigger bangers, weaving elements of hip-hop, rap and pop into a country framework without ever losing its authenticity — Banfield is now set to hit Australia for The Lasso Australian Tour. Marking his official Australian debut, the tour brings his signature blend of heartfelt songwriting and modern country swagger to fans across five unmissable dates this January.

JASON ALDEAN ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM

SONGS ABOUT USMulti-Platinum Award Winning Artist Drops Three New Surprise Tracks Ahead Of Album Release April 2026 
Aldean’s 30 NUMBER ONE HITS Marks Top 5 Billboard Top Country Album DebutCurrent Single “How Far Does A Goodbye Go” Continues Top 20-And-Climbing Momentum Ahead Of 2026 Full Throttle World Tour 

Reigning country powerhouse Jason Aldean announced today his upcoming studio album, Songs About Us , alongside the release of three new surprise tracks: “Help You Remember,” “Hard to Love You” and “Lovin’ Me Too Long,” available now.Set for release April 24 — the same week Aldean is set to co-headline UGA’s Sanford Stadium with fellow Georgia native Luke Bryan — Songs About Us features his current single, “How Far Does a Goodbye Go,” written by longtime collaborators Kurt Allison, John Edwards, Tully Kennedy and John Morgan. The album is available for pre-order, ) that is “among an elite class of consistent hitmakers” ( Backstage Country ) known for “songs of small-town living, love and loss that have resonated with a loyal fanbase” ( Billboard), Aldean’s latest collection follows the historic milestone of achieving his 30th No. 1 hit on Country radio and the release of his 30 Number One Hits album. The project earned Aldean his 13th top 10 country album in 20 years with its #4 debut on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart (10/10) upon its digital release and is available now as a Walmart Exclusive Vinyl. Recently honored with a SoundExchange Hall Of Fame Award for being among the most streamed artists of all time, Aldean’s “Country superstar status” ( Variety ) has been solidified with “his own recipe…one that has vaulted him to the pinnacle of Country music success” ( Atlanta Journal Constitution) and has “allowed him to usher in a new career chapter” ( The Tennessean).“It means the world when one of my songs helps someone through a hard time—or celebrates their best moments,” says Aldean. “This album is about all of that—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Every track started with a real story or feeling, and together we turned those experiences into music. In the end, I realized this album is about all of us. These are songs about us.”In addition to his Top 20 current single, “How Far Does A Goodbye Go,” new tracks “Help You Remember” joins “Hard To Love You” and “Lovin’ Me Too Long,” and sets the tone for Songs About Us— an album that captures life’s defining moments through authentic storytelling and Aldean’s unmistakable sound. Inspired by his personal experience having family members going through dementia, new track “Help You Remember” also shines a spotlight on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and their mission that you don’t have to go through this alone. Adding a list of resources for caregivers and those currently struggling with the disease, join Aldean in supporting  HEREAlong with the release of the three new tracks, Aldean also revealed the album’s full 20-song track list, giving fans a taste of additional collaborations to come with the release of the new record. 

Bella Mackenzie hits the ground running with the release of her new single, ‘T o mbstone Desperado’ featuring rising US country artist Jake Banfield .
 
Inspired by the 1993 Outlaw Film ‘Tombstone’, the collaboration drops as Bella Mackenzie prepares to join Banfield as the main support on his The Lasso Australian Tour’ this month.
 
“This track can be interpreted in so many ways but personally, this song makes me feel powerful by recognising we’ve all made mistakes, some worse than others, but how you move through and past these, is what makes you the strongest.  Jake Banfield is such a vocal powerhouse and on stage that I can’t wait to perform this with him live on tour.” – Bella Mackenzie
 
With its country rock swagger ‘Tombstone Desperado’ follows Bella Mackenzie’s 2025 release   ‘Grew Up Country’ featuring fellow North Queensland siblings Homegrown Trio. The song, written in celebration of small-town roots, resilience, and the unshakable pride of rural life,  skyrocketed to #10 on the Australian Country Radio Charts.
 
Hailing from the small coal mining town of Moranbah, Bella Mackenzie has quickly become one of the country’s most exciting new voices in country music. A songwriter since the age of twelve, Bella spent her teenage years cutting her teeth in pubs and bars across regional Australia, honing her craft and steadily growing her audience to what is now close to 100k social media followers. Her distinct style and authenticity have led to brand partnerships with Wrangler, Akubra and more, underscoring her influence beyond music.
 
Looking ahead, the now Central Coast-based Bella Mackenzie has a busy few months of touring ahead.  With shows already confirmed for this year’s prestigious Tamworth Country Music Festival, she will then hit the road with Riley Green for his ‘Cowboy As It Gets’ Australian Tour, followed by a live set at Australia’s premier country music festival, CMC Rocks 2026.

THE ARTIST
Paul McIntosh is a singer songwriter seasoned by a life of mixing music with his full time gig as a farmer on five thousand  acres  in the heart of Canadian farming country. He has spent time in Nashville perfecting his craft and has had success in several song-writing contests including the CMT contest. His music is lyric driven, carefully crafted country ranging from folky accoustic to fully rocking as in the case of this new release of “SUV”.THE SONG
“SUV” has been an absolute crowd stopper at Paul’s live shows for a while and folks have been asking for a full band  recording of it. It follows a farmer as he moves a big tractor and planting equipment down the highway only to be cut-off and “ given the bird” by a passing motorist in a big black SUV. It ends in the parking lot of a truck stop further on up the road.THE RECORDING
Genuine Nashville guitars and rythym sounds played by some of the best players in the city. The cut will speak for itself. MIxed and mastered at the prestigeous Lions Den Studio by Dan Donahue.

Lucie Tiger’s latest single  ‘Cowboy Love Me’ is a honkytonk heatwave—part flirtation, part getaway fantasy, fueled by neon lights, whiskey shots, and a cowboy with just enough swagger to ruin your weekend. With Texas moonlight and dusty dancefloors setting the scene, Lucie Tiger turns temptation into a country two-step you won’t forget.“I wanted this song to feel like that electric moment when you lock eyes with someone across a crowded bar and think, ‘Well… this could get interesting.’ It’s flirtation, sassy confidence, and a little trouble wrapped up in one night”, says Lucie Tiger.“So many country songs are about cowboys riding off into the sunset. I thought, what if the girl gets to choose the adventure this time? That’s where  Cowboy Love Me came from—she’s bold, she’s fun, and she knows exactly what she wants.”“ Cowboy Love Me started as one of my co-writers, Maddye Trew, and I joking about how we still hadn’t found ‘our cowboy’—and then realizing we’d written a whole song about the fantasy of one walking right into our arms in a honkytonk.”Based in Muscle Shoals AL since 2023, Lucie Tiger has been making her mark in the heartland of American music. “Lucie Tiger is showing the world what independent country artists can achieve on their own terms” (CountryTown). In November 2025, Lucie Tiger won Country Vocalist of the Year at the 11th Annual Josie Music Awards, held at the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, and she just celebrated her 8th single on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart—an unprecedented achievement for an independent Australian artist. To date, Lucie Tiger has had a Top 20 single, three Top 40 singles and two Top 20 albums in Australia. All bar one of Lucie Tiger’s charting singles were self-penned and among her most notable are  Found My Home (#50) and  Everybody Knows Your Name (#53). Her 2025 single,  Harvest Moon garnered her first review—a good one!—from Robert K. Oermann, legendary country music author and critic. In the same year, Lucie Tiger was the only country music artist to receive an Australian APRA AMCOS ‘Women In Music’ award. A prolific songwriter, Lucie Tiger won Country Blues Song of the year for  Gasoline at the 2021 Tamworth Country Songwriters Awards and she has garnered numerous top 5 songwriting accolades. Lucie Tiger has played countless songwriters rounds in Muscle Shoals, Nashville, and further afield, and with her band, she’s played Whiskey Jam among other notable venues.   

Alabama-based Australian country artist  Lucie Tiger turns up the heat with her latest single  “Cowboy Love Me,” a honky-tonk fuelled getaway fantasy bursting with flirtation, neon lights, whiskey shots and just enough cowboy swagger to cause trouble. Set beneath Texas moonlight and across dusty dance floors, the track transforms temptation into an irresistible country two-step.Written by  Lucie Tiger O’Connor,  Mark Benton Narmore,  Stephanie C. Brown and  Maddye Trew,  Cowboy Love Me flips the traditional country narrative on its head—putting the woman firmly in charge of the adventure.“I wanted this song to feel like that electric moment when you lock eyes with someone across a crowded bar and think, ‘Well… this could get interesting,’” says Lucie Tiger.  “It’s flirtation, sassy confidence, and a little trouble wrapped up in one night.”“So many country songs are about cowboys riding off into the sunset. I thought, what if the girl gets to choose the adventure this time? That’s where ‘Cowboy Love Me’ came from—she’s bold, she’s fun, and she knows exactly what she wants.”“It started as Maddye and I joking about how we still hadn’t found ‘our cowboy’—and then we realized we’d written a whole song about the fantasy of one walking straight into our arms in a honkytonk.”Now based in  Muscle Shoals, Alabama since 2023, Lucie Tiger continues to carve out a powerful space in the heartland of American music. Described by CountryTown as  “showing the world what independent country artists can achieve on their own terms,” her momentum continues to build on both sides of the Pacific.In  November 2025, Lucie Tiger won  Country Vocalist of the Year at the  11th Annual Josie Music Awards , held at the  Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. That same year, she celebrated her  eighth single on the  Music Row Country Breakout Chart with  Harvest Moon—an unprecedented achievement for an independent Australian country artist.To date, Lucie Tiger has earned  one Top 20 single,  three Top 40 singles, and  two Top 20 albums in Australia. Almost all her charting releases are self-penned, including standout tracks  Found My Home (#50) and  Everybody Knows Your Name (#53).Her 2025 single  “Harvest Moon” also garnered her first international review from legendary country music author and critic  Robert K. Oermann, who praised the song as  “a twanging murder ballad with a wicked, thumping, up-tempo kick”. The track enjoyed extended airplay across both  Australia and the United States, and in the same year, Lucie Tiger was the  only country music artist to receive an  APRA AMCOS Women in Music Award.A prolific and award-winning songwriter, Lucie Tiger won  Country Blues Song of the Year for  Gasoline at the  2021 Tamworth Country Songwriters Awards, alongside numerous Top 5 songwriting accolades. She has performed extensively across Muscle Shoals and Nashville, playing countless songwriter rounds and notable venues including  Whiskey Jam, where she opened for  Tyler Farr, and the  W.C. Handy Festival, where she played the opening night two years running.Named among  Music Connection Magazine’s Top 25 New Music Critiques (2024), Lucie Tiger’s sound has been described as  “a crowd-pleasing blend of classic 1970s Southern rock, contemporary country grit, and Crossroads blues”  Country Music News International.Along with the release of  Cowboy Love Me, Lucie heads into 2026 with momentum, recently announced as a  Top 5 Finalist  in the  Tamworth Songwriting Awards for her previous single Harvest Moon.With  Cowboy Love Me, Lucie Tiger delivers a bold, confident anthem that proves the future of independent country music is fearless, fun—and firmly in her hands.“Cowboy Love Me” will be serviced to radio and all streaming platforms on Friday 9th January 2026.

“Corn Fed” is an upbeat, feel-good country song rooted in small-town pride, family values, and the simple joys of rural life. With its catchy hook and relatable storytelling, it’s connecting with listeners who appreciate authentic, modern country with traditional heart.About Mike Kuster
Mike Kuster is an award-winning independent country and Americana artist known for his consistent radio success and strong fan engagement. He has earned multiple No. 1 songs on independent charts and has been recognized by the Independent Music Network as Songwriter of the Year. His music has received airplay across the U.S. and internationally, resonating with audiences who value honest songwriting and heartfelt performances.Why “Corn Fed” Works for Radio
· Positive, relatable lyrics
· Strong hook and sing-along chorus
· Perfect fit for Country, Americana, and Roots programming

Must Be Listening” pulls together 2 of Canada’s most respected female Country artists, Genevieve Fisher and Madeline Merlo. Originally the song was pitched to Genevieve by her long time writing partner and friend, Nashville songwriter Jennifer Schott. The song was co-written by Jennifer and Madeline Merlo. Although Genevieve did not have a writing credit on the song, it was a perfect fit for her. Everything about it was just right. Immediately Genevieve and her team agreed this should be her next radio single. Genevieve often does her own harmonies and background vocals but we felt it would be fittng if Madeline Merlo herself would be willing to join Genevieve and take on that role. Madeline graciously agreed without hesitation. This song offers the smooth lead vocals from Genevieve and the writing perfection and harmonies from Madeline. This song was produced by Genevieve’s long time Nashville producer Jason Massey. Genevieve performed the vocals in her home studio while Madeline joined Jason in Nashville to complete the harmonies. Ultimately, the final result is a seamless recording that needs to be heard. Industry ears that have already heard this indicate that this is one of Genevieve’s best singles to date. We hope you agree.
“I’m so excited to share my new single, “Must Be Listening”—a song that feels like a true comeback for me. I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy wonderful success within the Canadian country music industry. I decided to temporarily step away to raise my two little boys for the last 4 years, but I’m now back and ready to take my place alongside your favourite names in Canadian country. When my friend Jenn Schott pitched me some songs a few months ago, this one immediately stood out—I kept coming back to it over and over. With Jason Massey producing and helping bring my vision to life, and Madeline Merlo adding her beautiful unmistakable voice to the background vocals, this track became something really special. I love it so much, and I hope listeners across Canada feel the same and hear my heart and potential in every line.”