ZFM Country

2023 FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
6 X GOLDEN GUITAR WINNER AMBER LAWRENCE RELEASES
‘A VERY AUSSIE AUSSIE CHRISTMAS – BONUS EDITION’

After a huge year of touring with festivals and shows, Amber Lawrence (2023 CMAA Female Artist of the Year’) is finishing the year on a Christmas high. Releasing a bonus edition of her popular 2017 Christmas album “Aussie Aussie Christmas”. The new edition is fittingly titled, A Very Aussie Aussie Christmas.

Amber’s self-penned ode to an Australian Christmas, the track “Aussie Aussie Christmas”, has been played and performed all over Australia in the last 6 years including at Carols in the Domain, Adelaide Carols and in over 500 x primary school concerts. Now in 2023, Amber drops the new edition with 4 additional Christmas classics: Jingle Bells, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bell Rock and Wham’s Last Christmas.

When asked why she wanted to release more Christmas songs, Amber responded “Aussie Aussie Christmas has been such a special song for me – connecting me with families and children all over Australia. I wanted to give the song another opportunity to give Aussie kids a Happy Australian Christmas, with new music, and lots of Christmas joy.”

ABOUT AMBER LAWRENCE:

Amber is one of Australia’s most celebrated and hardest working country artists. Entering the 20th year of her career, sees Amber solidify her spot as a much loved entertainer for all ages, having released 7 studio albums and 3 children’s albums.

The well-loved entertainer was awarded Female Artist of the Year at this year’s Golden Guitar awards, as well as being inducted into the Galaxy of Stars. An exceptional achievement and a testament to the career she has built from the ground up over 20 years.

Amber has performed on the biggest stages in Australia, including The Gympie Muster, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Carols in the Domain, Australia Day Live at the Opera House, Play School and has sung for Prime Ministers and Presidents and most importantly she has entertained hundreds of thousands of Australians around the country from Birdsville to Broken Hill, and from Maroubra to Mandurah.

Amber is a 2 x ARIA Nominee and 6 x CMAA Golden Guitar Award winner.

Female Artist of the Year (2023)

Female Artist of the Year (2015)

Single of The Year, Song of the Year & Vocal Collaboration of the Year (2018)

Vocal Collaboration of the Year (2020) for the song ‘True Blue’

She also received 5 x CMC Award nominations in 2018 in addition to taking out the CMC Female Artist of The Year (2015 & 2016).

Following a recording breaking Australian tour consisting of over 100 shows, Kingswood have released their 2nd album for 2023 titled “The Tale Of G.C Townes”.

The album focus track – “Little Red Jumpsuit” encapsulates the spirit of “G.C.Townes”, representative of the spirit of the album in one song. Written on a warm summer evening in East Nashville, “Little Red Jumpsuit” paints the picture of loss and yearning, young love burdened with the knowledge that life has other plans; the melancholy known to both parties without either relenting on the investigation of what might be.

“The Tale of G.C.Townes” is a sojourn into the old west embodying a collective alter ego born in time of complete isolation – G.C.Townes delves into the deeper and more eclectic influences behind the eclectic Kingswood sound ranging from Tony Rice, Tom T. Hall, Merle Haggard, and Marty Robbins to name a few, in creating a parallel universe embodying boyhood old western fascinations and dreams. This is an alt-country roots record adopting acoustic instruments in a modern environment.

Kingswood’s latest album ” Tale of G.C Townes”was written and record alongside “Home” in the mountains of Queensland Australia’s hinterlands on a ranch, with the finishing touches placed both on the road amongst the record breaking 110 date Australian tour and in Kingswood’s spiritual home in Nashville, TN.

Produced by Alexander Laska, the album and songs were engineered by Alexander Laska, Guus Hoevenaars and Tenneesee’s Eddie Spear of Zach Bryan / Sam Barber / Sierra Hull. Similarly, the album was mixed by Alexander Laska / Eddie Spear and features all members of Kingswood with fine appearances on mandolin and pedal steel in Shaun Richardson (Ricky Skaggs / Sierra Hull / Bela Fleck ) Billy Contreras on fiddle (George Jones / Ricky Skaggs / Bela Fleck ), Shane Reilly pedal steel and Paddy Montgomery on mandolin.

Australian country music duo, Zac & George, are back with a foot-tapping, heart-warming new single that’s set to captivate listeners across the world. “Call It A Day” the latest release from this dynamic duo, is an energetic anthem that celebrates the ‘three-day weekend’ – an Australian colloquialism for ‘taking a break’.

Zac & George, two childhood friends, have been on the rise in the country music scene since they made it their mission to share their harmonies with the world in 2016. The boys, who exude down-to-earth charm and a mischievous sense of humour, have made a name for themselves delivering an electrifying on stage performance, injecting energy and excitement into every show.

“Call It A Day” is another melodic gem that has resulted from Zac & George’s song writing expeditions in Nashville, USA. The song writing session featured not only the duo but also Nicole Miller and Kyle Winski .

“In the writing session, we floated the idea around about writing an upbeat anthem that you can tap your foot too. We wanted to write a song that people can relate too, particularly in Australia. We liked the idea of celebrating ‘time for yourself’, connecting with your mates and disconnecting from the world”, said Zac.

This infectious new single is sure to resonate with fans and newcomers alike, serving as a reminder to cherish the moments of rest and relaxation.

ABOUT ZAC & GEORGE:

Zac & George are an Australian country music duo known for their captivating harmonies, down-to-earth charm, and electrifying live performances. With a string of successful singles and a growing fanbase, they are on a mission to bring their music to the world stage. “Call It A Day” is their latest release, a testament to their talent and their unwavering dedication to the art of country music. Zac & George’s journey toward international stardom is nothing short of remarkable. With their three previous releases “Red Wine & Roses” (peaked #9), “Bar Stool” (peaked #10) and “Sleep On It” (peaked #3) all securing a place on the CountryTown Hot 50 Chart, millions of online streams, sold-out headline shows, and a growing social media following, their presence is undeniable. The boys are here to stay, and their artistic journey promises an unforgettable adventure for fans worldwide. Join them on this exhilarating ride and embrace the magic of their music.

Jarred Taylor Is Set To Light Dance Floors On Fire With New Single, ‘Back To You’.

Country rock fans, get ready for new tunes from Jarred Taylor. The rising star has just announced the release of his second single, ‘Back To You,’ lifted from his upcoming album. ‘Back To You’ is set to drop on November 3rd, and is already generating buzz among fans and industry insiders alike.

‘Back To You’ showcases Jarred’s signature blend of heartfelt lyrics and high-energy country rock hooks. The song is a story of lost love and what he’s willing to do to get it back, with Taylor’s powerful vocals conveying the pain and longing of a heart that can’t let go. The driving rhythm and soaring guitar solos are sure to get fans tapping their feet and singing along.

The release of ‘Back To You’ follows the success of Taylor’s debut single, ‘Loved You Right,’ which climbed the country charts and earned him a loyal fanbase. With his upcoming album, Jarred is poised to take the country rock world by storm.

“I’m so excited to share ‘Back To You’ with my fans,” said Jarred. “It’s a song that’s very close to my heart, and I think it really captures the emotions that so many people feel when they’ve lost someone they love. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”

‘Back To You’ will be available on all streaming platforms on November 3rd. For more information on Jarred and his upcoming album, jump over to his socials and hit that follow button.

Mark Thornton is a multi-talented guitar player, producer, and engineer based in Nashville, Tennessee.

His experience as a professional guitarist began in the ’80s, in the Los Angeles country western scene, playing at the famous Palomino Club and the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. Between 1997 and up until his death in 2008, Mark was the guitar player for guitar legend Jerry Reed, recording and touring with him throughout the country. While versatile in his playing, his true strength lies in classic fingerstyle guitar (as well as a variety of classic country styles) and being a master of tasteful simplicity and tone.

His studio, Sidekick Sound, was founded in 1994 and has been graced by great pickers and players over the years, including Jerry Reed, Paul Yandell, Marty Stuart, Chris Scruggs, Wylie and the Wild West, and the Davidson Brothers. His production roster includes producing and engineering records for CMH Records, The Pickin’ On series.

He currently plays in and around Nashville with his band “The Sidekicks”, and spends the rest of his time recording, producing, and engineering great records.

Australian Country Music trio RHINESTONED are thrilled to announce the release of their second single Margarita Weather. After blowing the roof off of the venue at their performance at the Groundwater Country Music Festival, mainstream media attention and performances on morning TV, hear for yourself why fans can’t get enough of this ear worm tune.

RHINESTONED features one of Australian country music’s most unique voices Kirsty Lee Akers, joined by her melomaniac husband Jesse Anderson and show-stopping lead guitarist Dan Ebbels.

“Margarita Weather is the perfect song for summer. I wrote it with Troy Kemp while in Nashville earlier this year.” says Akers on the new track. “We were leaving a co writing session and got slammed with the hot Tennessee sun when someone said ‘this feels like margarita weather’ which was a major inspiration for the track.”

The trio decided that this had to be their next single and jumped straight in the studio to begin producing it. “It was funny, we found ourselves asking ‘what would Jimmy Buffet do’ throughout the whole recording process” says Jesse.

When the news came of Buffets passing, the trio were in the midst of mixing the track which Dan says was bittersweet. They then decided that this new track had to pay tribute to the hugely influential musician that was Jimmy Buffet.

Rhinestoned are set to take the main stage at the Groundwater Country Music Festival in QLD on October 20th and are launching their new song ‘Margarita Weather’ on the same day. After the success of their debut single and release of an acoustic EP, the trio are planning to deliver a heart-warming performance to be remembered for years to come.

Hudson Rose, a rising independent voice of the Australian Country Music scene, is set to ignite country music lovers with her latest single, “Dancing On The Tables”, slated for release 30th October 2023.

Following the chart-topping success of “Rules of Breaking Up”, which secured a place in the ‘Top 10′ on the Australian Country Radio charts, Hudson continues to carve a name for herself and captivate audiences with her signature sound and take on life. “Dancing on the Tables” is an infectious vibe that embraces the essence of being young and bussin’ into the weekend.

At just 21, Hudson Rose’s fresh approach connects with people from all walks of life. “This single is all about the blur of a night out with your besties and hangin’ to do it all over again,” says Hudson. “Whether you’re a tradie, in the office, on the road, studying your life away or anything in between, it’s time to celebrate, get out with your mates and have a good time”.

With its catchy, upbeat summer vibe, “Dancing on the Tables” celebrates letting go of the working week, living life to the fullest and making memories on the weekend with late nights and neon lights. “Sometimes there’s no stoppin’ at one. It’s about being young, fun, and just a little undone,” says Hudson. Whether you’re reminiscing about your own wild nights or creating new stories to tell with, there’s no stopping with this track.

Hudson Rose’s previous releases “Rules of Breaking Up”, “Fireflies in Tennessee”, “Misery”, and “Iconic”, have received widespread acclaim and airplay across major radio stations, with a strong presence on platforms like Spotify. Her music has struck a chord with listeners, garnering hundreds of thousands of streams and earning ‘Top 10’ chart placement.

As Hudson Rose continues to make her mark in the music industry, “Dancing on the Tables” promises to be the next infectious hit that propels her even further into the spotlight.

Award-winning Country phenomenon Jelly Roll performed his hit breakout song, “Save Me” for the first time on television during the ACM Awards, bringing the crowd to its feet with an unexpected surprise duet version of his massive hit featuring Lainey Wilson. After independently releasing “Save Me” with a message to his fans, the song tapped into Jelly’s uniquely connective ability to bring fans ‘therapeutic music’, and has long become a show stopping moment during his live shows and continues to generate unprecedented fan response – earning more than 155 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA. The never-before-heard version featuring Lainey Wilson, which is featured on Jelly Roll’s Country debut project – “WHITSITT CHAPEL” – was immediately released on DSPs following the ACM performance.

A 3x CMT Award winner, Jelly has independently amassed more than 4 Billion career streams to date. He scored his first No. 1 on Country radio with his debut Country single “Son Of A Sinner” and earned a two-week Rock No. 1, ‘cemented his rising mainstream stardom’ (Tennessean). Further to this, Jelly Roll’s previous single “Need A Favor” reached #1 on the Country charts in Australia, the US and Europe. The single also reached #1 on the US Rock radio charts!

“Save Me (feat. Lainey Wilson)”, which he debuted at this year’s ACM Awards is Jelly Roll’s next step to furthering his career as a guy who’s managed to buck the trends on his way to becoming one of the biggest up-and-coming names in country music.

About Jelly Roll:
Outright genre-bending singer/songwriter/rapper Jelly Roll has quietly been building a remarkable career, under the radar and on his own terms. Since his days selling his mix tapes out of his car, he has constantly been releasing new music (more than 24 albums),

touring relentlessly, consistently topping various iTunes charts, engaging a rabid fanbase and creating videos that have amassed nearly 2 billion views on YouTube. He pairs deeply personal lyrics with music that blends Old-school Rap, Classic Rock, Country, and Soul to create music that is therapeutic, raw and tackles the heaviness in life.

His 2020 single “Save Me” – a confessional, vulnerable expression of self-doubt set the stage for his new season of life and took him to new heights, with more than 141 million views on YouTube and Platinum certification from the RIAA. Born and raised in Nashville’s Antioch neighbourhood, the former addict and drug dealer released his album “Ballads of the Broken” in 2021, ahead of his sold-out hometown show at the famous Ryman Auditorium, which sold out in under an hour. The introspective 10-track album shows Jelly Roll’s growth as an artist and man, drawing from his personal experiences to tell the story of a man who has been through the ringer and isn’t afraid to share his raw truth, featuring his multi-week No. 1 Rock hit “Dead Man Walking” and his No. 1 Country debut single “Son of a Sinner”. Now after a history-making “breakthrough year” (American Songwriter), having just sold-out Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and released the riveting anthem “Need A Favor” along with the soul-stirring ballad “she” from his highly anticipated forthcoming album, the reigning No. 1 of Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart for 25 weeks is well on his way to mainstream, multi-genre stardom.

I have loved music and singing since I can remember. Our family get togethers were always a musical affair as all my uncles and aunt played instruments or sang, and there are recordings of me singing at these events when I was five years old.

My Dad played in dance bands all my life and I grew up invading band rehearsals at every opportunity when Mum had her back turned. I sang with my Dad’s band from the age of fourteen at all the country hall dances and balls, although I had to be sixteen before I was allowed to sing on stage at the local RSL.

I was raised and still reside at Macksville in the Nambucca Valley, a small town with a big heart. Marrying at 21, I put music on hold while starting a family. I spent four years as a single mum raising two amazing daughters which had its difficulties, but also forged my girls and I into the ‘3 Musketeers’, a bond which is still a force to be reckoned with today.

I married for a second time to the most amazing man God put breath into and he became our rock. He and my girls encouraged and supported my return to music and during this time I went from singing at local venues, to appearing at many events and festivals up and down the Coast.

In 2016 I released my debut album ‘Walk With Me’ which contained twelve songs, eight of which were originals that I felt documented my life up until that point. To my delight, it received great reviews and won prestigious awards. 2016 was also the year my darling husband died of lung cancer and my world was shattered. Music then became my refuge, and I poured myself into songwriting in an attempt to survive my grief.

My songwriting is inspired by observing nature and the beautiful place we call home as well as my own life experience, so it truly lays me open and bare in a way that I hope others can relate to. I hope they hear my songs and feel the echoes of emotions and experiences from their own lives.

Seven years further down the track, and I have just completed a body of work that I am really proud of. My new album titled ‘Ripples’ is a testament to the privilege of experiences and love in my life and the amazing vision, songwriting, and production skills of Angus Gill. It’s a country/folk album full of stories of life and love and inspiration. I hope you enjoy and let the Ripples go on …

Will Day returns with his third single release of 2023 delivering a song that pays homage to old friends, parties down backroads and rockin’ the rodeos. ‘The Way We Are’ (co-written and produced by Gold Coast Producer of the Year, Jared Adlam) is modern country rock at its finest. It’s fun, upbeat, and unapologetic for having a country way of life.

“You get excited about every release, but this one I’m particularly pumped for. This track is slightly different compared to what I have released before in terms of groove, feel and production but it’s still country rockin’ and can’t wait to get it out there”.

Will Day is known for songs that ooze authenticity. A solid live performer who is a constant crowd favourite delivering high energy performances and toe tapping anthems. 2023 has seen Will constantly on the road most weekends performing at festivals and events including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster, Texas (QLD) Country Music Festival, Smoke in Broke, rodeos such as Sandstone Point and Eaton’s Hill Rodeo as well as headlining shows including an upcoming sold-out Christmas Cruise on the Brisbane River for the second year running.

With radio support from major stations such as KIX Country, ABC Country, Triple A Murri, Australian Country Radio and iHeart Country as well as adds on editorial Spotify playlists including Fresh Country, Fresh Country Finds, New Music Friday and Apple Music’s Aussie Country and 5th Gear across multiple singles, has ensured Will is making his mark in this fast growing genre.

Will Day’s passion for country music is undoubtably strong. Constantly releasing heartfelt ballads to supercharged foot stomping songs has ensured he has continued to build his reputation as one of Australia’s premier country music artists. Each releases delivers a unique fingerprint on the country music scene that will be around for many years to come.

Will Day’s single ‘The Way We Are’ is out to radio on 26th October and on all digital services on 27th October.