Felicity Dowd – Handle It

Get ready for a little rockier sound from singer-songwriter Felicity Dowd with her new single, ‘Handle It’.

Born out of an attraction to a close friend, ‘Handle It’ deals with everything that comes with keeping emotions to yourself, even if you have strong feelings for someone.

“It’s about not wanting to damage your friendship, which you hear a lot of in films, but It wasn’t until I started writing the song that it took on a different meaning,” Felicity said. “It took on a mature way of explaining how a young person like me may deal with this situation.”

Felicity is an artist who won’t be constrained by genre, but instead allows the song to lead the way when she is writing.

“I write to what the song’s feeling and I’ve written in a lot of different genres and this one kept growing as producer Rod Motbey and I put the song together,” she said. “It started off as a very acoustic version, but as we went through the process, it became almost rocky and alternative country and it even uses some influences from Fleetwood Mac to get that oomph and feeling behind it.”

The NSW South Coast/Illawarra singer said she wanted to keep her listeners open to new sounds in her music.

“‘Handle It’ is a very current song, thematically and musically, and I hope that if listeners relate to the song, it’ll be a bit of a safe haven to feel those emotions, but they can also simply dance and sing along with the song,” Felicity said.

Courtney Keil – The One

Fresh off the back of achieving a Top 40 Finalist spot in the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition, Courtney Keil returns with her bubbly new single, ‘The One’.

The 90s inspired country bop reflects on the magic of true love – “It’s somethin’ you can’t know until that first time when time stands still”. The track radiates Keil’s signature positive vibes, with its sizzling guitar hooks and playful vocals. You’ll have a hard time resisting the urge to dance along with its infectious groove, “inspired by Faith Hill’s iconic, This Kiss”.

“I once again had the joy of writing this with my songwriting family Rod McCormack (who also produced the track), Sam Gay and Templeton Thompson”, chirps Keil. The same creative powerhouse has crafted every one of her singles to date – including the Vanda & Young finalist, ‘I Just Wanna Hold You’. That explosive debut was also a finalist in the 2020 International Songwriting Competition and peaked at #15 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart. Along with two of her other previous singles, ‘Hummingbird’ and ‘Where Does All The Love Go’, it also reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Country Singles chart.

It appears country music is not only in the heart of the Melbourne native, but also in her blood. Her paternal grandmother was a country singer in Adelaide during the ’50s. “She would sing on local radio with her two sisters,” reminisces Keil.

It’s no surprise then that Keil is no stranger to the stage. With a packed tour schedule for 2022, she’s appearing alongside Gina Jeffreys and Tania Kernaghan on their Girls Night Out tour – which includes a show at the Tamworth Country Music Festival – and opening for Andrew Swift during his VIC leg in April. She’s also played the role of June Carter Cash alongside Daniel Thompson in Johnny Cash: The Concert Tour throughout 2021 and will continue in 2022.

“So many reasons to fall in love / But you just need the one”, sings Keil on the infectious new single. It’s yet another superb track from a young artist who is blazing a trail through the Australian country music scene. Her endless optimism and vivacity are sure to captivate audiences along her road to stardom. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to fall in love with Courtney Keil then this might be the one.

Christian Parker – Shotgun

The upbeat new tune “Shotgun” from Nashville newcomer Christian Parker is the first single off the upcoming debut album called “Debutante” due out in September 2022. Shotgun perfectly captures that excitement of throwing caution to the wind and chasing your dreams with reckless abandon, a sentiment he can definitely identify with as he launches his debut single. Like its name suggests, “Shotgun” is a blast of energy from an artist brimming with passion and eagerness, ready to make his mark on the country scene. The budding young talent infused the track with plenty of inspiration and can-do gumption for all the dreamers out there yearning to give it a proper shot, and comes roaring out of the gate with this winning tune about giving it your all and never looking back. Shotgun is produced by Grammy nominated producer Sal Oliveri. Entertainment Focus says of the artist “This is one rising star you want to get on you radar”. Remember his name, with a full promo, PR and marketing team behind him, you’re surely be hearing a lot about Christian Parker.

Dave Herrera – Shades

Dave Herrera has a way of writing thought-provoking material, as demonstrated in this NEW Single “Shades,” a tale about a woman who catches a man’s eye with her dark sunglasses that aren’t used to block the sun, but as a barrier to the outside world. But once she pulls up the shades, one realizes there’s something deeper.

Herrera said “it’s not easy to meet people, more specifically a significant other, as OPENING UP is not an easy thing to do” as Herrera wrote in his lyrics “hiding your eyes won’t hide ya; cause only the sun shines brighter; fix a broken heart; if you look my way; let down your guard pull up those shades”.

Herrera wrote the track with the help of Cory Coppin and Kale Coppin co-writers and produced the track with co-producer Jeff Balding. “Shades” was recorded at WestRoc Studios.

Carrie Underwood – Ghost Story

After teasing fans with a series of mysterious posts beginning the night before her birthday this past week, 7-time GRAMMY® Award winner Carrie Underwood’s highly anticipated new single, “Ghost Story,” is out now. The lyric video for the cinematic track is also available now .

Written by Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and David Garcia and co-produced by David Garcia and Underwood, the superstar describes “Ghost Story” as “a different take on a revenge song, which is something I love to sing about. Instead of smashing headlights, this scorned lover is letting her ex know that she will continue to haunt him no matter how hard he tries to forget her.”

“Ghost Story” is the latest collaboration between Underwood and Garcia, having co-produced her critically acclaimed 2018 release, Cry Pretty, which marked the first time Underwood produced her own album. Garcia and Underwood also co-produced Underwood’s 2021 album of gospel hymns, My Savior. Underwood and Lindsey have collaborated on a string of hits such as “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “So Small,” “Last Name,” “Smoke Break,” “Church Bells,” and the now-iconic title track, “Cry Pretty.” Kear co-wrote Underwood’s signature hits, “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away,” and co-wrote another cinematic classic, “Two Black Cadillacs” with Underwood and Lindsey.

“‘Ghost Story’ is a thrilling, dramatic song that David, Hillary and Josh wrote for me,” says Underwood. “They are such talented, amazing songwriters who know me so well, and from the first time I heard it I knew I had to record it. I have always loved performing songs that tell a story and inspire some kind of cinematic imagery when you hear them, and that is definitely true of ‘Ghost Story.’ It creates a mood and a vibe that is different than anything else I’ve recorded before.”

Underwood’s new single comes on the heels of winning her 16th ACM Award on March 7 – for Single of the Year with Jason Aldean for their smash hit duet, “If I Didn’t Love You.” The multi-week #1 “If I Didn’t Love You” has spent a record-setting 26 weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard Country Airplay so far, with more than 323 million global streams RTD.

Underwood is nominated for two 2022 GRAMMY® Awards – for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year for My Savior, and she and Aldean are nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “If I Didn’t Love You.” The duo was also nominated this week for two 2022 CMT Music Awards for “If I Didn’t Love You” – Collaborative Video of the Year and Video of the Year, which Underwood won in 2021 for “Hallelujah,” with John Legend. She continues to reign as the most awarded artist in CMT history with 23 total wins.

On March 23, she continues her ongoing REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency at the Resorts World Theatre, having opened the new 5,000-capacity, world-class theatre, the first artist to grace the largest and tallest stage in Las Vegas, with six sold-out shows in December. Conceived by Underwood to celebrate some of the highlights of her stellar recording and touring career over the years, REFLECTION celebrates her greatest hits from over 15 years as an award-winning international superstar. The production brings beloved fan favorites to life in a whole new way, utilizing spectacular special effects, pyrotechnics, and state-of-the-art visual and audio technology, with Underwood joined onstage by her band, dancers, aerialists and a special virtual orchestra. $1 from every ticket sold will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Underwood returns to the desert to headline the iconic Stagecoach Festival on Saturday, April 30 in Indio, Calif.

About Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is a true multi-format, multi-media superstar, spanning achievements in music, television, film, and as a New York Times bestselling author and successful entrepreneur. She has sold more than 66 million records worldwide, recorded 28 #1 singles (14 of which she co-wrote), and has seven albums that are certified Platinum or Multi-Platinum by the RIAA, all while continuing to sell out arena tours across North America and the UK. All nine of her consecutive album releases (two of which she co-produced) from the beginning of her career debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Chart, making her the only artist to accomplish that feat. She has won over 100 major awards including 7 GRAMMY® Awards, 16 ACM Awards including three for Entertainer of the Year (the first female in history to win twice and the only female ever to win three times), 23 CMT Music Awards (holding the record for the most award wins ever for the show), 7 CMA Awards, and 17 American Music Awards. She has also built a successful business portfolio inspired by her passion for health and wellness. She founded and created the fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood and her first book, FIND YOUR PATH was an instant New York Times bestseller. She launched her fit52 app in 2020, and expanded her lifestyle portfolio with an equity partnership with BODYARMOR Sports Drink in 2021. She was the first artist to perform at the new Resorts World Theatre, where her ongoing REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency, began with a sold-out debut run in December 2021 and continues this Spring.

Steven Lee Olsen – Nashville Or Nothing

Fresh off a standout EP release and Top 5 Canadian radio hit for the title track “Relationship Goals,” Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Steven Lee Olsen returns with a new original track, “Nashville or Nothing” out today via Universal Music Canada.

A true “love letter” to the vibrant town that many know as Music City, the heartfelt track shares Steven Lee Olsen’s personal story that remains a relatable feeling for many artists that embark on their journey to Nashville. Penned alongside his co-producer Brandon Day, “Nashville or Nothing” features Steven Lee Olsen’s dynamic, R&B smooth vocals over the “too close to home” lyrics that the singer-songwriter is known for. “It’s gotta be Nashville or Nothing. A million to one in a town I don’t seem crazy. Where everyone’s a dreamer, where I’m gonna either catch my break or it’ll break me.”

Cass Hopetoun – Chinese Whispers

Cass Hopetoun is the name on everyone’s lips, thanks to the release of her latest single ‘Chinese Whispers’. The sassy new tune arrives just ahead of the ‘New Talent of the Year’ Golden Guitar nominee’s highly anticipated debut album, Not Your Typical Bride which is set for release on 8th April and available for pre order now.

Released through Compass Bros Records, ‘Chinese Whispers’ is the sixth single to be taken from the Sydney-based singer’s 13-track album. It’s a fiercely self-assured anthem of empowerment; “a song you put on when someone has been talking smack about you and you want to feel empowered and have that ‘shake it off’ moment,” exclaims Hopetoun. “It’s a reminder that people are always going to ‘talk’ but, you can choose to ignore them because you know what’s true and what’s not.”

No doubt this latest offering will have people talking……for all the right reasons. Its feisty lyrics were crafted by Hopetoun along with her fiancé and collaborator, Blake Dantier, after she became the victim of a nasty rumour. “Haters gonna throw shade, shade, shade, no matter what I do,” she sings triumphantly in the song’s chorus.

Her vocal is both delicate and commanding as it dances effortlessly around Matt Fell’s (Love Hz Studios) production. Incorporating elements of Motown and surf rock – the country-tinged track feels both timeless and fresh.

Despite the seemingly endless pandemic, Hopetoun has still managed to turn heads – now a two-time nominee for New Talent of the Year at the Golden Guitar awards. The hit that earned her most recent nomination, ‘Who Needs Hawaii’, peaked at #6 on the CountryTown Hot 50 airplay chart and was the #1 most played song on CMT Australia in 2021. She also found time to duet with Andrew Swift on ‘Say the Word’, which topped the Kix Hottest 20 and was the radio station’s #1 most played track for 2021.

2021 saw Hopetoun hitting the road, performing her vibrant show alongside Hurricane Fall and Shane Nicholson. But 2022 is set to be bigger and better; with appearances at Meatstock, Goulburn Valley and Tamworth Country Music Festivals, as well as tour dates across the country with Jayne Denham and her Not Your Typical Bride album launch in Sydney on 14th April.

While whispers continue to grow of Hopetoun’s prowess as a songwriter and performer, so too does her devoted following. Her honest and playful voice is a breath of fresh air in the Australian music landscape and an inspiration to Country fans young and old. ‘Chinese Whispers’ is just further evidence that the rumours are true – Cass Hopetoun is undoubtedly a star destined for great heights.

Mandy Collins – I’ll Find You

Mandy Collins has released her debut single ‘I’ll Find You’, produced by Travis Collins, engineered by multi-award winner Matt Fell, and mastered by industry legend, Ted Howard. ‘I’ll Find You’ has a great fun vibe about it, a bluesy country, front porch kind of thing, which will resonate with rural and regional Australians and their country roots.

Mandy ‘Moo’ Collins has always loved to sing. Raised in Sydney’s Western Suburbs, music was a way of life, with her Dad touring the country playing in bands and igniting her lifelong passion for performing.

Mandy’s love for country music was kindled at an early age by role models and song writing inspirations such as Tammy Wynette, Jeannie C. Riley and Trisha Yearwood, then further nurtured by her parents and well know award winning singer songwriter brother, Travis Collins.

Happy and enjoying life in the Hunter Valley with her family, and having raised five children, Mandy recently felt the pull back towards recording and performing and the timing couldn’t be better. Armed with good people in her corner, Mandy is set to embark on fulfilling her dreams of entertaining the masses.

Hanson – Write You A Song

HANSON release their new track “Write You A Song,” the second single from the multi-platinum, 3x GRAMMY® Award-nominated pop-rock trio’s eagerly anticipated new project, RED GREEN BLUE. Written by Isaac Hanson, and co-produced by Isaac, GRAMMY® Award-winning Producer/Engineer/Mixer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wilco) and GRAMMY® Award-winning Artist/Producer David Garza (Fiona Apple, Midland, Sharon Van Etten), the organic and heartwarming song is available now via 3CG Records at all DSPs and streaming services. The official music video will see its premiere on CMT USA this coming Monday, March 14.

“This song is about holding on to the things that really matter in life, those simple daily moments that are precious and honest and go by so fast,” says Isaac Hanson of the song. “Whether it is between a parent and a child or a romantic relationship, it is important to capture those moments in photos, videos, and yes in songs, so that you remember them and make them last.”

RED GREEN BLUE was heralded last month with the album’s emotive and dynamic first single, “Child at Heart,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. An official music video is streaming now via YouTube.

Comprising three solo-led projects from Taylor, Isaac, and Zac Hanson, RED GREEN BLUE arrives via 3CG Records on Friday, May 20, and is available for pre-order on vinyl, CD, and digital at all retailers now. The album, which marks HANSON’s milestone 30th anniversary, brings together the band’s three unique creative voices like never before, with a third of the album written and produced by each brother: Taylor’s RED, Isaac’s GREEN, and Zac’s BLUE. The album, which is also, co-produced with Jim Scott and David Garza, amplifies the band’s unique trifecta of sound in a new way which is highlighted through the release of three singles, one featuring each brother. Starting with Taylor’s “Child At Heart” followed by Isaac’s “Write You A Song” (out today) and the rock-infused force of Zac’s “Don’t Let Me Down” (April 15), each song is a clue to the unique musical influences which make up the project.

“Going into our 30th year as a band we felt like it was imperative we continue to tell our story like only we can,” says Isaac Hanson, “and telling stories in ways that will continue to challenge us to grow and give people new reasons to listen. RED GREEN BLUE is about sharing what has made us a band that has been able to weather so many storms.”

“Our love and respect for Jim Scott has only grown since we first met 20 years ago,” says Taylor Hanson. “He has been behind some of our favorite albums, so it’s an absolute joy to have finally made a project together.”

“We have had a long friendship and deep connection with David Garza since our early days as a band,” says Zac Hanson. “We could not have had a better musical collaborator for this milestone project.”

Henry Fenton – Ruby (Days Gone By)

D Henry Fenton’s new single “Ruby (Days Gone By)” is an upper mid tempo Americana/Folk-Pop song about the difficulties of gaining and maintaining visiting rights for a parent to see their child. “Its a song I felt I had to write” explains Fenton “There’s always two sides to every story and somewhere in the middle is where we find the truth, the sadness and then the healing”

Recorded and mixed in Sydney at Electric Avenue Studio’s it features guitars and backing vocals by Mark Punch (Kasey Chambers/Joe Cocker) and bass by ARIA award winning bassist/composer Jonathan Zwartz (Branford Marsalis/Terri-Lynn Carrington) as well as Fenton himself on acoustic guitar, telecaster and lead vocals.

Fenton has opened/supported acts such as Kasey Chambers, John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, Lissie & The Corrs.