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2026 Toyota Golden Guitar nominees Homegrown Trio return with “Never Really Over,” a heartfelt piano ballad out Friday 25 September 2026.Produced by Grammy and CMA Award-winner Nathan Chapman and co-written in Nashville with Chapman and legendary songwriter Liz Rose, the song captures the push and pull of a love you can never quite walk away from – breaking up, finding your way back, and wondering if it was ever really over.For siblings Katelyn, Liam and Kasey O’Donoghue, the writing session was a milestone. “We still remember walking into Nathan’s studio in Nashville and meeting Liz for the first time,” the trio recall. “Sitting in a room with two incredible songwriters who have written songs for so many artists we look up to felt pretty surreal, but they’re also two of the most genuine, humble people you could ever meet.”The song began with a chorus melody Kasey had been playing around with and a line saved in her phone. From there, it wrote itself. A simple piano and vocal demo was recorded that same day, and when it came time to record the final version, the band chose to preserve that rawness – allowing the ballad to build and grow without losing the emotion at its heart.“We’ve held onto ‘Never Really Over’ for a few years now, waiting for the right time to share it,” the trio say. “For whatever reason, now just feels like that time, and we’re so excited for people to finally hear it.”The timing is no accident. “Never Really Over” is the latest chapter in the lead-up to Part Two, the long-awaited follow-up to Homegrown Trio’s debut EP Part One. Where the singles released since have traced the trio’s growth from Far North Queensland to Nashville, this is the song that reveals its emotional centre – a glimpse of the depth and vulnerability that will define the collection. With Part Two taking shape, the story that began with Part One is about to reach its next instalment.

2026 Toyota Golden Guitar nominees Homegrown Trio return with “Never Really Over,” a heartfelt piano ballad out Friday 25 September 2026.Produced by Grammy and CMA Award-winner Nathan Chapman and co-written in Nashville with Chapman and legendary songwriter Liz Rose, the song captures the push and pull of a love you can never quite walk away from – breaking up, finding your way back, and wondering if it was ever really over.For siblings Katelyn, Liam and Kasey O’Donoghue, the writing session was a milestone. “We still remember walking into Nathan’s studio in Nashville and meeting Liz for the first time,” the trio recall. “Sitting in a room with two incredible songwriters who have written songs for so many artists we look up to felt pretty surreal, but they’re also two of the most genuine, humble people you could ever meet.”The song began with a chorus melody Kasey had been playing around with and a line saved in her phone. From there, it wrote itself. A simple piano and vocal demo was recorded that same day, and when it came time to record the final version, the band chose to preserve that rawness – allowing the ballad to build and grow without losing the emotion at its heart.“We’ve held onto ‘Never Really Over’ for a few years now, waiting for the right time to share it,” the trio say. “For whatever reason, now just feels like that time, and we’re so excited for people to finally hear it.”The timing is no accident. “Never Really Over” is the latest chapter in the lead-up to Part Two, the long-awaited follow-up to Homegrown Trio’s debut EP Part One. Where the singles released since have traced the trio’s growth from Far North Queensland to Nashville, this is the song that reveals its emotional centre – a glimpse of the depth and vulnerability that will define the collection. With Part Two taking shape, the story that began with Part One is about to reach its next instalment.

Australian country-pop artist Miss Kate Elizabeth returns with her new single, “Found My Way,” the follow-up to her 2026 release “Ready To Love Again.”Written from the perspective of rebuilding after the end of a relationship, “Found My Way” captures the point where fear and uncertainty begin to give way to the realisation that starting over might actually be leading somewhere better.Produced by Rhys Zacher, the track blends contemporary country-pop production with an intimate and personal lyric, marking the next chapter in Miss Kate Elizabeth’s solo music.A TSA/APRA New Songwriter of the Year winner, Miss Kate Elizabeth has also previously opened for artists including Shannon Noll and Eurogliders.Her previous single, “Ready To Love Again,” received Australian radio support including ABC Grass Roots, ABC Gippsland and Big John’s Big Country , with “Found My Way” continuing her return to Australian country music in 2026.

A dark, high voltage country track channelling the energy of Jolene’s villain origin story – ahead of its live debut at Strummingbird Festival.
 
TAMWORTH, NSW – Country artist,  Loren Ryan, unleashes her audacious track to date with  “WILD ONE” , released today – Friday September 25th, 2026.
 
Channelling the ultimate anthem for Jolene’s villain origin story, the track is a dark, explosive country single operating at pure  “level 10 FAFO energy”. Cue your language warning.
 
Flashing an unhinged edge and explicit drive,  “WILD ONE”, serves as a standout release off Ryan’s upcoming debut album. The song brings raw power through sharp storytelling, heavy-hitting production and vocal intensity.
 
“It feels like the ultimate anthem for Jolene’s villain origin story where she holds all the cards”, says Ryan. “ She’s untamed, hard to catch and in total control”.​Music directors and fans can catch the official live debut of  “WILD ONE” when she takes the stage  Strummingbird Festival in Newcastle on Saturday 17th October 2026 alongside  Tyler Childers, Stella Lefty and  James Johnston. 
Loren Ryan has also just been announced as part of the massive CMC Rocks QLD 2027 bill alongside Eric Church, Brooks & Dunn, Ashley McBryde and more over the weekend of Fri 19 to 21 March 2027.
 
​”WILD ONE” impacts radio now and hits DSP’s worldwide from  Friday 25th September 2026.
 
About Loren Ryan:
​Hailing from the Tamworth region of New South Wales, Loren Ryan is a boundary-pushing artist. Blending rich traditional roots with forward-thinking sonic landscapes, Ryan continues to captivate audiences and radio alike as she builds toward her much-anticipated 2026 album.
 

AUSTRALIA’S HIGHEST-SELLING FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST HAYLEY JENSEN DELIVERS AN UP-BEAT, FEEL-GOOD, FRESH DOSE OF OPTIMISM WITH ‘EVERYTHING ALL WORKS OUT’
 
Australia’s highest-selling female country artist, 2x ARIA #1 act, and 5x Golden Guitar finalist Hayley Jensen returns with her bright, feel-good new single, ‘ EVERYTHING ALL WORKS OUT: ’, available to stream everywhere today.Following the success of her blazing country-rock banger ‘BURN IT DOWN’ ( Countrytown Top 20) and stomp & holler hit ‘WILD AS THE WIND’  (with over 600k streams & counting), Jensen switches gears to deliver an infectious dose of pure positivity. Packed with driving fiddle hooks, vibrant rhythms, and unstoppable foot-stomping energy, ‘ EVERYTHING ALL WORKS OUT: ’ is an upbeat, optimistic anthem – just what the world needs right now.Co-written by Hayley Jensen and Anthony Snape produced by Liam Quinn (who produced hits for Rachael Fahim, Sara Birki, Tori Darke & more) the track seamlessly marries polished feel-good fresh country hooks with a high-energy groove, boasting undeniable line-dancing appeal.“With everything going on in the world, we wanted to create something uplifting and fun – a song that gets people to ask & imagine for themselves ‘what if’ the best-case scenario was to play put, instead of ruminating on the worst. We wrote it about letting go of worry & the things that are out of your control, holding onto hope, being kind to one another, and finding joy in the moment.”With close to 10 million career streams, a string of commercial radio chart-toppers, and a record-breaking run with her album Country Soul, Jensen continues to lead the pack as a 100% independent, self-managed power act. From main stage performances at CMC Rocks QLD, Meatstock, PBR Australia Area Shows and Groundwater Country Music Festival later this year, and major festival appearances across the UK, Canada, and the USA (including Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe), ‘ EVERYTHING ALL WORKS OUT: ’ marks the next exciting chapter in her unstoppable trajectory.In addition to a jam-packed festival calendar, fans can also catch Hayley live as she continues her massive WILD AS THE WIND Headline Tour presented by Wheelhouse Agency, assisted by Music Australia’s ‘Contemporary Music Touring Grant’, allowing her to connect with more fans across the country than ever before.

Australian singer-songwriter Lewis Love, managed by Hallwood Media, has announced a partnership with EMPIRE , the leading global independent record label, publisher, and distributor. The partnership brings Love into the label’s global network giving him access to the company’s teams, expertise, and relationships across multiple key markets. With a roster in both regions that spans successful AUNZ acts such as Borderline and Headwreck, as well as Country star Shaboozey, EMPIRE offers Love the opportunity to draw from the best of the company’s cross-continental infrastructure.Cameron Walsh, EMPIRE’s Territory Manager for Australia, says:  Welcoming Lewis Love to EMPIRE as the first Australian country artist on our Nashville roster is a significant moment for us. Lewis is an incredible talent with a distinctive voice, genuine star quality and a natural ability to connect with people. From the beginning, we’ve believed in what he’s building and his potential for a truly global career. To now have the strength of our Australian team, alongside the experience and relationships of EMPIRE Nashville and our wider global team, supporting him is incredibly exciting. We’re proud to be backing an Australian artist we believe can make a real impact on the world stage. To commemorate the partnership, Love shares a brand new single “ Man On The Moon ,” a warm take on meeting someone and instantly knowing they are for you. With lyrics such as “ 10,000 faces but all I could take in was you… the night that we met, girl, we danced to The Man on the Moon”  captures that intimacy. The song has already begun generating momentum on TikTok, with early user-generated content signalling anticipation for its official release.Lewis Love first began turning heads with his debut project, Lovesick, which earned him a nomination for Countrytown’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year. Since then, he has amassed over 3.3 million streams and shared stages with an impressive roster of artists, including Zac Brown Band, Cameron  Whitcomb, Gigi Perez, Waylon Wyatt and more.  Love has also just been selected as one of the next Spotify RADAR artists in Australia. 

Duncan Toombs has gone from one of Australia’s most in-demand country guitarists to a 13 Golden Guitar-winning, ARIA #1 artist with a growing global fanbase following his viral performance on The Voice Australia.Fresh off a four-month Canadian tour with Gord Bamford, Duncan is now rolling out music from his forthcoming second solo album, Roller Coaster. Following the release of lead single “I Go Home,” there’s a real sense of excitement and energy building among fans and fellow artists as Duncan continues his journey — not only in music, but in self-belief.

MOOD — “OUT OF HERE”
“Out of Here” kicks off with shades of Don Henley, driven by a classic cross-stick groove that immediately gives you those “The Boys of Summer” vibes.Right out of the gate, Duncan’s vocal plants the song firmly in the engine room of your heart, before exploding into a powerful chorus that hits like Mike Tyson — a wall of distorted guitars, driving drums and raw emotion.It’s the kind of song that leaves you positively charged. It keeps you believing, keeps you moving and makes you feel ready to take on whatever is in front of you.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Duncan Toombs has rapidly emerged as one of Australia’s most powerful and emotive voices in country music. With a rich, soul-stirring tone and heartfelt delivery, he creates an immediate and unforgettable connection with his audience.Originally rising to prominence in his twenties as one of Australia’s most in-demand country guitarists, Duncan has now stepped confidently from the back of the stage into the spotlight as a powerhouse vocalist and award-winning singer-songwriter.His debut solo album, Steel on Steel, released in January 2023, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Country Albums Chart and became the second-highest-selling country album globally. In 2024, the album earned Duncan two Golden Guitar Awards — Heritage Song of the Year for “1861” and Music Video of the Year for “Steel on Steel” — along with the People’s Choice Album of the Year.Later that year, Duncan captured the hearts of millions as a standout artist on Channel 7’s The Voice Australia. His performance of his original song “Steel on Steel” reached nearly three million viewers and went viral across TikTok and Instagram, introducing his music to a passionate new global audience.Duncan has recently returned from an exciting four months touring Canada with award-winning Canadian country artist Gord Bamford, winning over new audiences along the way.Now, with “I Go Home” leading the rollout of his forthcoming second solo album, Roller Coaster, Duncan is entering an exciting new chapter. There’s a growing sense of momentum among fans and fellow artists as he continues a journey built around music, authenticity and self-belief.

This new journey — from the back of the stage as a guitarist to standing out front as an independent country artist — is as much about self-belief as it is about music.
Without belief in ourselves, this world can fill our minds with negativity and make even the smallest of dreams feel impossible.
This song is me shouting at myself — reminding me that no matter what life throws at me, no matter how many demons bear down on me, and no matter how alone or lost I feel, if I believe in myself and keep focused on the light on the horizon, I’ll find a way to move forward.”
— Duncan Toombs

Golden Guitar Award-winning country favourites Darlinghurst are back with a new single, “Big G Wiz”, a tongue-in-cheek country-rock anthem packed with attitude, humour and plenty of sass.Set for release in September, “Big G Wiz” takes a playful swipe at those larger-than-life personalities who are always chasing the spotlight, from endless name-dropping and self-promotion to the desperate need to be the loudest voice in the room.With an infectious chorus, clever lyrics and a wink rather than a punch, “Big G Wiz” is Darlinghurst at their cheekiest. It’s the kind of song made for audiences to laugh, clap along and belt out the chorus together, proving that sometimes the best response to an oversized ego is simply to smile, shake your head and say,  “Take a break… ya Big G Wiz!”The release marks another exciting chapter for Darlinghurst, with Cassie Leopold now carrying the project forward as its sole member in 2026. Building on Darlinghurst’s impressive legacy, Leopold continues to deliver distinctive, honest songwriting, a modern country sound with grit and an undeniable stage presence that has helped establish Darlinghurst as one of Australia’s standout country acts. With  four No.1 singles, a self-titled debut album that reached  No.1 on the ARIA Country Music Charts, and a  Golden Guitar Award to their name, Darlinghurst has already made an indelible mark on Australian country music. Now, Leopold is embracing a fresh chapter while staying true to the sound, storytelling and personality that audiences have come to love.Following two successful releases already this year, Darlinghurst will unveil  “Big G Wiz”, a fun and feisty slice of country that showcases Leopold’s trademark wit, catchy hooks and undeniable energy. The release continues the momentum towards a highly anticipated new album arriving in 2027.With new songs, new stories and a fresh chapter unfolding, Darlinghurst is proving the journey is far from over —  it’s only just getting started.

Five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan releases his ninth studio album, SIGNS, today. The 12-track album, produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens, features Luke’s Top 10 hit “Country And She Knows It.”
 
SIGNS Track Listing & Sequencing:

1. “Finders Keepers”  Written by Jimi Bell, Beau Bailey, Sam Ellis
2. “Country And She Knows It” Written by Josh Miller, Parker Welling, Matt Dragstrem
3. ‘Word On The Street” Written by Payton Smith, Josh Thompson, Justin Ebach
4. “Signs”   Written by Jody Stevens, Patrick Murphy, Jason Duke, Tommy Cecil, Jon Mills
5. “Fish Hunt Golf Drink”   Written by Luke Bryan, Matt Dragstrem, Chase McGill
6. “Made It A Memory”  Written by: Matt Alderman, Jamie Paulin, Shane Profitt
7. “Woods” Written by Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson, Matt Dragstrem, Taylor Phillips
8. “Down Goes The Whiskey” Written by Jeb Gipson, Whitney Duncan, Jonathan Singleton
9. “Crooked Rows Of Corn” Written by Luke Bryan, Josh Thompson, Chase McGill, Matt Dragstrem
10. “I Liked Loving You” Written by Jimi Bell, Kyle Sturrock, Jimmy Robbins
11. “Killer” Written by Davis Corley, Mark Addison Chandler, Nate Kenyon
12. “Praying By The Rules”   Written by Blake Bollinger, Chris Lucas, Nate Kenyon, Preston Brust

 
In its 17th year, Luke’s plays the fall leg of Farm Tour this weekend. The son of a peanut farmer, Luke has brought shows to farms across the country since the tour’s inception in 2009. Before this weekend’s show, Luke has awarded 90 college scholarships to students from farming families attending the local college or university near tour stops and has provided more than 11 million meals through presenting sponsor Bayer’s #HerestotheFarmer. Luke’s work with these programs has been critical to raising awareness, educating communities, and expanding access to nutritious food, vitamins, and minerals. During Farm Tour shows, Luke and Bayer have supported food security in Farm Tour markets by mobilizing thousands of concertgoers to donate to local food banks, helping thousands of families. Through on-site collections, generous fans have contributed more than 16,000 pounds of nonperishable food so far, which will directly provide meals to regional hunger-relief organizations. FFA chapters also partnered with Bayer this year on the “Spirit of 1776” CAN DO Challenge. Donations totaling more than 10,000 cans were given to local food banks to support communities across the country.
 
 
About Luke Bryan
During his career, Luke has amassed 27.2 Billion global streams, 12 Million global album sales, and more than 48 Million track sales worldwide. He has 132 Million in total RIAA certification units, including 19.5 Million in album certifications and 112.5 Million in single certifications. Luke was honored with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award in recognition of his standing as one of the most-streamed artists in the organization’s 20-year history. He has garnered 32 #1 singles, 17 of which he co-wrote, and he’s accumulated 58 total weeks at #1 during his career.:
 
Luke has hosted the ACM Awards five times and the CMA Awards four times, and has won more than 50 major music awards, including five Entertainer of the Year awards. Additional honors include six CMT Artist of the Year recognitions, NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year, the first-ever recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party, seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards—as well as being named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s, the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck, and Artist Humanitarian Recipient by the Country Radio Broadcasters, and receiving the ACM Lifting Lives Award for his devotion to improving lives through the power of music. Luke was inducted into the Star Trail of Fame by The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to honor his profound impact over the years.

“Stephen Styles knows his way around a turntable, a glass of whiskey, and certainly around a true Country song. Big fan of this song and big fan of Stephen. Give this a SPIN!”- Pepper Daniels, PD KKJG San Luis Obispo, Calif
Rising California country-rocker Stephen Styles is thrilled to announce his new single  “Whiskey And Vinyl” to country radio!Fresh off the momentum of his chart-climbing hit “Bar By Now”, country rocker Stephen Styles takes a more vulnerable turn with his latest single,  “Whiskey And Vinyl”, now impacting country radio.Solely written by Stephen, the track pulls back the curtain on the kind of late-night moments that don’t make it into highlight reels – when the room is quiet, the weight of the world feels heavy, and the only thing that truly understands you is music. “There’s something different about vinyl — it’s raw, imperfect, and real — and that’s how emotions are too,” says Stephen. “For me, this song represents using music as a way to survive hard moments. It’s about heartbreak, reflection, and finding some peace in the pain. The song pays tribute to the artists who helped me through my own difficult times and I’m now hoping to be that voice for someone else .”  This song is released via Plow House Records and produced by Grammy-nominated Brad Hill (Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Owen Riegling).Stephen’s last single, “Bar By Now ” was a major hit on Country Radio, including:
· Over 1M streams on Spotify
· Reached #51 on Music Row Country Breakout Chart for “Bar By Now”
· Charted at #2 on Play MPE Streaming in the UK
· Charted at # 3 on play MPE Streaming in Latin America
· Charted at #9 streaming and was the 13 the most downloaded song on Play MPE International chart
· Played iconic venues and festivals including Pozo Stampede, Avila Beach Resort Festival, Doug Weston’s Troubadour, California Mid-State Fair, Buck Owens Palace, Sturgis Buffalo Chip, and more.