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Country songstress Kaitlyn Thomas returns with her latest release, “Truckin’ Country”, a high-energy anthem celebrating hardworking country people and particularly the girls who never forget their roots.Written by  Kaitlyn Thomas, Michelle Chandler and Mary V I Harrison, and brought to life by powerhouse production duo  MSquared (Michael Paynter and Michael DeLorenzis), “Truckin’ Country” showcases Kaitlyn’s commanding vocals and infectious energy, delivering a track destined to resonate with country fans across Australia.At its heart, “Truckin’ Country” is a celebration of country lovers who work hard, play hard, and carry their country values with them wherever life takes them. Whether they’re in work boots on the job, a pretty dress for a night out, or a T-shirt and shorts on the weekend, they never forget where they come from. After a long week of hard work, they’re ready to get all dressed up and hit the town, but no matter where they go or what they’re wearing, they’ll always be Truckin’ Country.
“This song was inspired by the women who work just as hard as the blokes out in the country – but really, it’s for anyone who lives and loves the country life,” says Kaitlyn.  “If country’s in your heart, this song’s for you.”
Fresh from supporting some of Australia’s biggest country stars including  Amber Lawrence,  Brooke McClymont and  Adam Eckersley, Kaitlyn continues to build momentum as one of the genre’s most exciting rising artists.Following the success of her 2025 single  “Mississippi Lies” and standout performances at the  Tamworth Country Music Festival, Kaitlyn is preparing for a busy year ahead, including appearances at major events such as the iconic  Deni Ute Muster and with further performances to be announced shortly.Known for her powerhouse vocals, electrifying stage presence and genuine connection with her audience, Kaitlyn has built a reputation as an artist who not only delivers unforgettable live performances but remains deeply appreciative of the fans who support her journey.With its driving energy, relatable message and undeniable country spirit, “Truckin’ Country” is set to become a favourite for country music lovers everywhere.

ARIA, APRA and Golden Guitar Award-winning country artist Casey Barnes returns today with his uplifting new single  SHE DOES, a feel-good country anthem celebrating the person who stands by you through life’s highs and lows.Arriving just weeks before the release of his highly anticipated new album MADE FOR THIS on August 7, SHE DOES continues the momentum of a landmark year for Barnes, following the success of recent singles MADE FOR THIS, selected as the official theme song for Nine’s 2026 NRL season and TIME TO BURN, his acclaimed collaboration with Australian music icon Pete Murray.Hooking listeners from the opening line,  SHE DOES blends infectious melodies, heartfelt storytelling along with celebrating loyalty, resilience and the kind of love that never wavers.Written in Nashville alongside acclaimed songwriters Jordan Dozzi (Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Blake Shelton) and Kyle Sturrock, the track showcases Barnes’ signature ability to fuse contemporary country-pop production with authentic, relatable storytelling.

She Does’ isn’t just another cliché country song… it’s really about something much deeper,” says Barnes. “It’s about the person who still believes in you when you’re doubting yourself, who holds your world together when life gets chaotic, and who loves you even when you give them every reason not to. I think that’s something a lot of people will connect with.”

The release marks the final standalone single before MADE FOR THIS arrives on August 7, with the album set to launch alongside Barnes’ biggest national headline tour to date. Spanning Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, the tour will see Barnes bring his energetic live show to fans across the country throughout the second half of 2026.With an ARIA Award, multiple Golden Guitars, APRA Awards, major festival appearances and more than 90 million streams, Casey Barnes continues to cement his reputation as one of the leading voices in modern Australian country music.

Emerging country artist Olive Mae returns with her personal new single ‘Country Songs’ – an honest and distinctly Australian anthem about rediscovering yourself and finding your way back to what matters most.
 
Following her previous release ‘ El Caballo Blanco’, Olive Mae continues to carve out her place as one of Australia’s most distinct rising voices in country music. From the wide-open landscapes of Western Australia comes a song that feels like red dirt on worn boots, sun on your shoulders, and the quiet but powerful realisation that sometimes the life you’re chasing isn’t the one you were meant to live. 
 
At Wilder Studios, nestled in the stoic shadow of Tasmania’s Mt Roland, Olive teamed up with multi award winning producer Matt Fell to capture the warmth, freedom and self-reflection that sits at the very heart ‘Country Songs’.
 
At its core, the new track is a story about stripping away expectation and reconnecting with the version of yourself that existed long before the world started telling you who you should become. Through imagery of open skies, horses, freedom and life’s inevitable detours, Olive delivers a song that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
 
“This song is about realising what the little girl inside you would want you to be doing when she grew up. It’s so easy to get caught up in what other people tell you that you should be doing with your life but ultimately it isn’t up to anyone else, we should all just be doing our best to make ourselves as happy and fulfilled as we can!”
 
The track also marks a significant step forward creatively, with Olive fulfilling a long-held ambition to work alongside one of Australia’s most respected country producers. Recorded during a songwriting retreat in Tasmania earlier this year, the sessions quickly evolved into something far bigger than originally planned.
 
“Working with Matt has always been something I thought I would do “one day” so when I booked into a SHE Songwriting retreat at Wilder (Matt’s beautiful property in Tasmania) in 2025, I thought I wonder whether Matt has time to do some recording for me while I’m there? Sure enough, it was meant to be, and we ended up recording 5 songs. I couldn’t be more happy with the way they have turned out, and I can’t wait to release them all. This is definitely a level up for my songs and it was definitely the right move to record them with Matt.”
 
That confidence comes at the back of an enormous twelve months for the Western Australian artist. Previous single ‘El Caballo Blanco’ generated widespread attention across Australian country radio, hitting #46 on the CountryTown Hot 50 Airplay Chart. The single was also added to Apple Music’s ‘New In Country’ and ‘New in Americana’ editorial playlists while becoming the most played song on ABC Country.
 
Away from the studio, Olive Mae has steadily built an impressive live resume, recently opening sold out shows for Sara Storer and performing alongside Gretta Ziller during the Tamworth Country Music Festival . Her momentum continues to build with appearances at Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, and an upcoming performance at Gympie Music Muster as part of the CMAA Academy Campfire Showcase on Thursday 27th August.
 
Industry recognition has followed closely behind, with Olive named a finalist in the 2TM Discovered Competition 2026 while also earning nominations in both the WAM Song of the Year Awards and WA Country Music Awards – further cementing her status as one of the country’s most promising emerging talents.
 
Grounded in authenticity, shaped by lived experience and carried by a love of honest storytelling, ‘Country Songs’ feels like a defining moment for Olive Mae. The message is simple – choose the life that feels like home for you. And sometimes, that means riding horses and singing country songs.

Fast becoming one of Australian Country music’s most exciting voices, Nathan Lamont returns with his boldest release yet, unveiling the infectious new country-pop anthem ‘Loves to Hate Me’ – a track that pairs massive hooks and retro-inspired production with a vulnerable reflection on making mistakes.
 
Following the success of his previous single ‘ Into It’, which landed on major editorial playlists across both Spotify and Apple Music, while climbing to #6 on the AMRAP National Airplay Chart and #19 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Airplay Chart, Nathan continues his remarkable upward trajectory, having now amassed more than 3 million streams globally.
 
At its core, ‘Loves to Hate Me’ explores the emotional fallout that lingers long after a relationship has unravelled – examining the painful shift from being someone’s everything to nothing at all.
 
“’Loves To Hate Me’ is a song about regret, accountability and the fallout of becoming someone’s past after once being their future,” explains Nathan.
 
Written alongside acclaimed Nashville-based songwriter Phil Barton during a FaceTime writing session, the song came together remarkably quickly, sparked by one striking line Nathan had been carrying with him well before the session began.
 
“ I sat down with Phil Barton via FaceTime, and we managed to pen this song in about three hours, just two weeks before heading into the studio. The whole thing grew from me sitting at home playing around on the keys, with the line ‘She’s probably thinking about the way that I die’ being the only thing I brought into the session. It felt sharp and confronting straight away, and I knew I wanted the song to be rooted in some personal feelings and experiences.”
 
Rather than leaning into familiar breakup territory, the writing process focused on ownership, consequence and the quiet devastation that comes with watching something meaningful disappear in real time – themes captured brilliantly in standout lines like ‘Used to be her future, now I’m in the rearview mirror.’
 
Production once again saw Nathan team up with acclaimed Melbourne producer Michael De Lorenzis, continuing a creative partnership that has helped shape the artist’s increasingly distinctive sonic identity.
 
“I chose Michael De Lorenzis to produce the song because we’ve spent the last year really honing in on what feels like my own sound. Like with ‘Into It’, I wanted to keep exploring that blend of modern country with retro 80s-inspired synths, big melodic hooks and driving drums. I’ve always loved songs where the lyrics sit in direct contrast to the energy of the music, so the intention was to create something that feels nostalgic and upbeat musically, while lyrically sitting in a much heavier place.”
 
Already building serious momentum within the Australian country scene, Nathan Lamont’s rise over the past twelve months has been impossible to ignore. A proud Wiradjuri artist from Wagga Wagga, Nathan has become one of the country’s fastest rising independent artists, building an audience of more than 100,000 followers on TikTok while collecting over 3 million streams since debuting in 2023.
 
His growing list of achievements includes being named the 2025 CMAA Sister City Nashville Exchange recipient, becoming a 3 x Toyota Star Maker Grand Finalist, and earning multiple APRA AMCOS Professional Development Award Finalist placements – all while delivering standout performances at major events including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster and Deni Ute Muster.
 
With a knack for pairing deeply personal storytelling with undeniably catchy, radio-ready hooks, ‘Loves to Hate Me’ feels like another major step forward for an artist rapidly establishing himself as one of the most compelling new voices in Australian country music.

HAYLEY JENSEN UNLEASHES AN UNTAMED ANTHEM OF FREEDOM-‘WILD AS THE WIND’THE 5X GOLDEN GUITAR & COUNTRYTOWN AWARD FINALIST CONTINUES HER GLOBAL EXPANSION, COUPLING ARETURN TO THE UK FOR A PRESTIGIOUS FESTIVAL, ALONGSIDE PBR AUSTRALIA ARENA SHOWS & A MASSIVE NATIONAL HEADLINE TOUR 

Following the blazing success of her Top 20 Countrytown radio hit ‘BURN IT DOWN’, Australia’s highest-selling female country artist and 5x Golden Guitar Finalist Hayley Jensen returns with her most liberating and deeply personal single yet, ‘WILD AS THE WIND’.If ‘BURN IT DOWN’ lit the fire, ‘WILD AS THE WIND’ is the roaring hurricane that propels Jensen into a bold new era of artistic and personal freedom. Continuing the narrative of reclaiming her power, this track is an infectious, cinematic country-pop anthem about breaking free from the expectations of others, embracing a wild spirit, and taking a giant leap of faith for love.Written from raw, lived experience, the story traces Jensen’s profound journey of leaving a past relationship where she was pressured to give up her music career and settle for a “normal” life, to realizing her spirit could never be tamed. The story culminates in a real-life adventure – following the true love of her life on an adventure across the world.“‘WILD AS THE WIND’ is about refusing to let your spirit be caged. About trusting that pull inside you toward the life you’re meant to live, even when it feels terrifying. I wrote it for anyone who’s ever felt too wild for the box they were expected to fit into. It’s about freedom, adventure, healing, and finding the kind of love that runs along beside you, cheering you on, instead of holding you back. I really wanted to capture that pure spirit of freedom and adventure, and I hope it inspires everyone who hears it to run toward their own passions.” says Hayley.Musically, the track signals an exciting sonic evolution for Jensen. Produced by multi award-winner, Liam Quinn, it features driving percussive layers, soaring powerhouse vocals, catchy fiddle and whistle hooks with ‘Stomp & Holler’ energy. The song marries a polished country-pop sensibility with an organic edge, building in intensity with a relentless momentum that sweeps you away.The release lands during a monumental year of global and domestic momentum for Jensen. Fresh off an explosive debut performance at CMC Rocks QLD – Australia’s largest international country music festival – and high-octane shows at Meatstock Toowoomba & Gippsland, Jensen has been dominating festival stages and solidifying her status as a premier live act.Continuing her expansion into international markets, Jensen is set to fly across the world this August to perform in the UK at The Long Road Festival-one of Britain’s largest and most prestigious international country music festivals. UK fans will also catch her at an exclusive headline side show in Birmingham. This marks the second year in a row (and third time) Jensen has been invited to perform at festivals in the UK. Last year she lit up the stage at ‘Buckle & Boots’ Manchester, headlined the new country stage at ‘In It Together’ Wales, as well as playing acoustic shows in Birmingham & London.Jensen’s international sprint will be a whirlwind this year, as she must swiftly return down under to front a massive domestic schedule, including showcasing at BIGSOUND 2026, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest music industry gathering and new music showcase.The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be one of Hayley’s busiest yet as she brings her high-energy show to massive arenas across the country for PBR Australia events, including Melbourne’s John Cain Arena and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, alongside the Triple B Rodeo in Caboolture, QLD with more festival appearances to be announced soon.In addition to a packed festival calendar, fans can also look forward to catching Hayley live on a massive Headline Tour presented by Wheelhouse Agency and assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia & Music Australia’s ‘Contemporary Music Touring Grant’. Allowing Hayley to connect with even more fans across the country than ever before.With career streams now surging well past the 9 million mark, her second ARIA #1 Album Country Soul remaining a permanent fixture in the ARIA Top 10 Australian Country Album Chart & a new record on the way in 2027, Hayley Jensen is operating at the peak of her powers with no intention of slowing down.‘WILD AS THE WIND’ is a fearless declaration of self-belief, a celebration of love against all odds, and a reminder that some spirits are simply born to be free.

CMA & ACM AWARD WINNER JELLY ROLL RELEASESNEW SINGLE “HANDS UP”  

GRAMMY, CMA & ACM Award winner Jelly Roll releases “Hands Up ,” his newest single. Written by Jelly Roll, Michael Hardy, Chase McGill, Joe Fox, and Rocky Block, the up-tempo, deeply personal song has held a lasting impact across live audiences this Summer, both on Jelly’s headlining Arena Little Ass Shed Tour and in stadiums nationwide on the BIG ASS STADIUM TOUR with Post Malone. His unyielding, authentic audience connection continues to capture the attention of critics and fans.ABOUT JELLY ROLL:3X GRAMMY® award-winning Nashville native Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) continues to redefine the word entertainer. With the release of his 2026 GRAMMY Award winning Best Contemporary Country Album, Beautifully Broken, he topped the Billboard 200 all-genre chart and earned his second #1 Billboard Country Album chart debut. Acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Billboard, NPR, and more, Beautifully Broken features #1 songs “I Am Not Okay,” “Liar,” and “Heart of Stone.” 2024/2025 has only continued the singer/songwriter’s momentum, with numerous nominations and award wins, including his first three GRAMMYs at the 2026 ceremony, his eighth consecutive #1 at Country radio and chart-topping hits across numerous genre charts, as well as a landmark appearance as the musical guest on SNL’s 50th Anniversary Season Premiere episode. Solidifying his place as one of music’s most authentic and powerful voices, he’s performed at stages across the world-from his record-breaking Beautifully Broken Tour to the first concert at St. Peter’s Square, Grace for the World: The Live Event in Rome. The year also produced his GRAMMY Award winning collaboration with Brandon Lake, “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and went on to hold a record-breaking number of weeks at #1 on Christian radio and took home Song of the Year at the DOVE awards. Beautifully Broken followed his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel, which made history as the biggest Country debut on the Billboard Consumption Chart and debuted #1 on the Billboard Country Albums and Top 3 on the Billboard 200. Whitsitt Chapel also garnered his wins for Billboard Breakthrough Award, CMA’s New Artist of the Year Award, and the People’s Choice Award for Male Country Artist of the Year as well as additional ACM, CMA, Billboard, AMA and DOVE nominations and wins.Beyond music, Jelly continues his mission—visiting correctional and rehab centres across the US and internationally to help bring music to some of the darkest corners and donating a recording studio to the juvenile centre where he was once incarcerated. Praised for both his music and his uniquely authentic power to inspire, Variety notes “for everyone who’s facing the same struggles, Jelly Roll is their Springsteen” while American Songwriter hails him as “a force to be reckoned with.”

Australian Idol winner Kesha Nevé shares her story in Better This Way
Fresh from her Australian Idol win, Kesha Nevé is ready to introduce listeners to the artist behind the television spotlight with the release of her debut single, Better This Way, on June 26.The country-pop track is Kesha’s first original release and gives fans their first real insight into the singer-songwriter’s own experiences, telling the story of heartbreak and learning.Co-written with Ruby Rogers and Middleman duo Lara Frew and Phoebe Sinclair, who also produced the track along with Robby De Sa, Better This Way was created by an all-female team, something Kesha said made the experience even more special.”My goal as a musician has always been to tell a story and to kind of take artists’ lyrics and make them my own and make it feel like I almost wrote it,” Kesha said.”So being able to actually write a song and get my personal story across is a really, really amazing way for people to see me as an artist and hear me as an artist, not through other people’s lyrics, but through my own and through my own personal experiences.” Better This Way captures the experience of giving everything to a relationship and eventually realising it wasn’t being returned.”I was very in love and dedicated to someone who probably didn’t replicate that amazingly,” she said.”It was just one of those things that I had a heartbreak, and I wanted to tell the story, and I wanted to relate to people who’d been in that same situation with being so in love with someone and kind of had those rose-coloured glasses on.” While millions of Australians watched Kesha’s journey on Australian Idol, Better This Way marks the beginning of a new chapter as she establishes herself as an artist in her own right.”This is the first song I’ve ever released, which is really special for me, and it’s kind of the first step into my journey as an artist off the TV,” she said.”I think this is kind of helping me, this is that transition from TV to being a muso in the real world.” Describing herself as a “country pop storyteller”, Kesha’s connection to country music has been shaped by a life spent between the Snowy Mountains and the NSW Far South Coast (she now also lives part-time in Bondi), along with time spent working on farms and around the rodeo scene. With her Idol fan base behind her Kesha is keen to get her original music into everyone’s ears.”I hope that I can get to play it on the radios, and people are streaming it,” she said.”I just hope it lands in the right people’s hands, and the right people’s ears, and takes me on the country path that I’m wanting to go down.” Kesha will be hitting the road later this year with Australian Idol Top 3 placer, Kalani Artis in what will be a killer of a double-header show and tour around the country.

” After Dark” is JBB’s first new single of 2026, following their hit 2025 album  One Of Us.The song is produced by Todd Clark (Noah Kahan, Phillip Phillips, Gavin Degraw, Lewis Capaldi), and is a step into a new sonic identity for the band, taking influence from Mumford & Sons, Noah Kahan, and the folk/indie country space. The band are starting summer strong with five #1s at CA Country Radio, recent CA & US headline tours, 2025 CCMA and 2x 2026 CMAO wins, and a busy lineup of summer festivals.

RAY STEVENS has spent more than six decades proving he can do something very few artists manage well: comedy and heart.For many listeners, Stevens is best known for novelty classics like Gitarzan, Along Came Jones and The Streak – hit singles packed with comic voices, sound effects and unforgettable hooks.But there has always been another side to Ray Stevens.He is also the voice behind warm, timeless hits like Misty, Everything Is Beautiful and Turn Your Radio On.This week Stevens returns with Savannah, the lead single from his new albumFavorites Old & New.Savannah is smooth, easy-going country storytelling with a strong Southern flavour. The song blends nostalgia, melody and warmth in a way that fits comfortably with today’s more traditional country and Americana-based formats.The 13-track album mixes classic favourites with newer material, highlighting the humour, charm and musical versatility that have defined Stevens’ remarkable career.“I had a lot of fun creating this album, Favorites Old & New, says Stevens. “It really does contain a few of my favorite old songs as well as favorite new ones penned by some talented writers. I just hope Ray Stevens fans enjoy it as much as Ray Stevens!”With Favorites Old & New, Ray Stevens once again reminds listeners why he remains one of America’s most distinctive entertainers – equally comfortable making audiences laugh or moving them with a great song. 

Perth country-pop artist Emily Joy returns with her brand-new single,  One Step Ahead Of You, a bold, hook-driven anthem about outsmarting the hot-and-cold games of modern dating. The track explores emotional push-and-pull relationships and knowing your worth before getting played.Blending sharp lyrics, country storytelling and polished pop production, the single showcases Emily’s evolving sound and confident female perspective. Backed by high-impact visual content, social campaigns and live performances, the release further cements Emily Joy as one of Australia’s most exciting rising country-pop artists.“ One Step Ahead Of You  is about that moment when someone starts pulling away the second you finally let your guard down,” says Emily Joy.
“I think a lot of people can relate to the hot-and-cold dating culture that exists now, and this song is basically my way of saying, ‘I see what you’re doing, and I’m not playing the game.”“I wanted the track to feel confident, fun and empowering while still having that cheeky country-pop energy I love. It’s definitely one of my sassier releases and has quickly become one of my favourite songs to perform live.”

Everyone’s favourite cowgirl, Emily Joy — where sass, sequins, and storytelling come together in perfect harmony. Delivering performances packed with good times and yeehaw energy, Emily has graced stages from Perth to London, Nashville to Tamworth, rapidly establishing herself as a standout voice in modern country-pop.In 2024, Emily lit up the Main Stage at The Muster alongside Morgan Evans and Travis Collins before releasing her heartfelt single  A Little Part Of Me, which led to her first nationally televised performance. She later followed with the playful country-pop anthem  Give Me A Shot Or Two, supporting the release with an 11-date tour that further showcased her signature blend of catchy hooks, modern production and relatable storytelling.Most recently, Emily performed on the main stage at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and is currently touring internationally as a guest entertainer, bringing her original country-pop music to audiences across the Pacific. The momentum comes as Emily prepares to relocate to Nashville within the next 12 months, where she plans to immerse herself in the city’s renowned songwriting scene and continue evolving her signature country-pop sound.Known for her flirty, fun and fearless brand of country-pop, Emily blends classic country spirit with a polished modern pop edge. With an online audience of more than 130,000 followers and over 4 million video views, Emily Joy is quickly becoming an artist impossible to ignore.