ZFM Country

Jay Santilli Returns With An Emotionally Driven Heartwarming New Single ‘Long Way Home’.

2024 Top 10 Toyota Star Maker finalist, country singer-songwriter Jay Santilli returns with a song that is personal and close to her heart. The essence of ‘Long Way Home’ lies in embracing life’s uncertainties and daring to take risks. Set against enchanting melodies, the song reflects on the inevitability of change and the pursuit of dreams amidst challenges. Inspired by personal experiences, including the journey through IVF while navigating the decision to pursue music as a career, the track resonates with a universal message of resilience and trust in fate.

“‘Long Way Home’ talks to, daring to embrace life’s uncertainties and take risks, finding solace in the journey itself”.

Melbourne based Jay Santilli has made a name for herself as her star continues to rise in country music. After taking time off to focus on family, she is now forging a career in music and is creating waves with her unique focus on storytelling and heartfelt lyrics. Catching the eye of industry tastemakers landed her a Top 10 placement in the 2024 Toyota Star Maker Final in Tamworth earlier this year where she performed on the main stage at Toyota Park, delivering an emotional rendition of ‘Long Way Home’ to rave reviews.

Throughout her career, Jay has performed across the country and has shared the stage with some of the most prominent names in country music including Morgan Evans, Jasmine Rae, Travis Collins and many more. Her live performances are known for their energy and emotion, leaving audiences spellbound.

With her incredible talent and dedication to her craft, Jay Santilli is undoubtably one of Australia’s most promising country music artists. Her unique voice and tone have captivated audiences across the country, as she continues to make her mark in the industry, while being rewarded with a rapidly growing fanbase. Jay is currently working on new material and is looking to releasing an EP by the end of 2024.

The Shelly Jones Band pull on the emotional heartstrings with their latest single ‘Dance’ from their new album ‘Defining Moments’.

A dazzling moon, the stillness of night and a weeping cello entice the listener into an emotional trance on this mesmerizing gem about taking every opportunity to share quality time with your loved ones while you have the chance, as we never know what tomorrow will bring.

The Shelly Jones Band are an Australian husband and wife duo who have certainly made a big impact on the independent Australian Country Music scene already, having accumulated 12 #1 Hits on the Australian Country Songs Top 40 Chart to date. Throw in a few International #1 hits on Independent country music charts in Europe and the USA, in addition to multiple awards and it makes for an impressive musical resume!

Based on the Mid North Coast of NSW AUSTRALIA, these two award-winning singer-songwriters (Shelly and Lester) have been performing professionally together for over 15 years in their current format with a stellar reputation for delivering catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, beautiful harmonies, great musicianship and a hint of cheeky humour.

Benny Allen Releases A Cover Of The Beatles’ Classic ‘Here Comes The Sun’, in the lead-up to his brand new children’s album, ‘Friends With Honey Musical Kids Show’.

Benny Allen has collaborated with the acclaimed bee-ducator Helen Charles, to record an album of bee themed songs for children.

‘Here Comes The Sun’ is a featured track from the ‘Friends With Honey Musical Kids Show’ album, and is being released to radio, in the lead-up to the album launch for World Bee Day (May 20th 2024).

“It’s a song about growth, and the respite that change can bring, but we use it to educate kids about why we see more bees in Spring and Summer”.

“The Friends With Honey Musical Kids Show, both as an album and as a stage show, is about weaving songs and storytelling together, to provide a way of educating kids and adults about the importance of bees to pollination and our food security”.

It’s an interesting departure for Benny Allen, who has spent the last few years carving a path as an award winning artist in the Australian country music scene.

“Helen is so passionate about educating people about bees, sustainability and the environment, that it can’t help but rub off”, Benny said. “Having the opportunity to record some well known songs, as well as write with Helen, has made this the most exciting project I’ve been involved with to date”.

‘Here Comes The Sun’ was recorded with Golden Guitar nominated producer, Michael Carpenter in his Sydney studio, and is being released to radio and digital platforms on the 5th April 2024.

‘Friends With Honey Musical Kids Show’ is being released on the 17th May 2024, in time for World Bee Day. In the lead up to their ticketed album launch show at the RSPCA Pawditorium on the 18th May 2024. Benny and Helen will perform at Luna Park Melbourne during the Easter School Holidays.

Friends with Honey Musical Kids Show – Sing. Dance. Learn.

Benny Allen

Winning Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards in both 2021 and 2020, it’s hard to believe Benny Allen ‘Never Knew I Was Country’.

‘The Battle Of Point Nepean’ took out the Best Bush Ballad category in 2021, going back-to-back with his 2020 Best Video award, for ‘Never Knew I Was Country’.

2021 releases included the piano power ballad ‘Sing A Song For Me’ and honky-tonk inspired ‘Tired All The Time’, which both debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Music Chart, and also made it onto the Australian Independent Record Labels Associations charts. The dark murder ballad ‘Rosepetals And Gunpowder’ and bush ballad ‘The Old Guard’ also charted well on release, with No. 2 positions on the iTunes Country Music Charts

The 2020 year was capped off with the release of the up-tempo, Bluegrass inspired ‘Lady Luck & Me’ – which spent over three months in The Music Network’s commercial radio play Hot 50 Country Songs.

The video clips for both ‘Lady Luck & Me’, ‘Rosepetals And Gunpowder’ and ‘Tired All The Time’ have been strongly supported by local media; including Foxtel’s CMT channel, and Channel 31 Melbourne’s Nu Country TV

Helen Charles

Helen LOVES bees! She loves nature. She loves plants, animals, flowers, and all of the insects.

As the founder of environmental education business Friends With Honey, Helen has provided workshops on Bee Education, Citizen Science, Pollination and Biodiversity to Pre-Schools, Schools, Councils and Community Groups.

Helen’s passion for bees spreads to all who are around her.

Briana Dinsdale Returns With A Soulful Moody Track ‘Whiskey Worked That Way’.

Country singer-songwriter Briana Dinsdale is back in 2024 with a refreshing new attitude and maturity and a new single that is going to capture the hearts of music lovers everywhere.

Briana Dinsdale’s new single, ‘Whiskey Worked That Way’, signifies a pivotal moment in her career. Produced by Michael and Caleb Flanders in Nashville, the track delves into the complex emotions of anger, lust, heartbreak, and affection all at once. Briana eagerly anticipates this release as the inaugural piece in a series of tracks that will define her musical journey throughout her twenties – a compelling and exciting progression.

“I’m incredibly thrilled to share this song with the world. Collaborating with three of my favourite industry figures – Jen Mize, Robbie Mortimer and Chloe Styler was an incredible joy. The moment we penned it, we sensed how special it was. The urgency to bring it to life in the studio was undeniable, and having the opportunity to do so in Nashville, my dream city, made it even more special. Working alongside Michael and Caleb felt like working with family. I feel immensely grateful for the involvement of these two remarkable individuals in every aspect of the release. I can’t wait for people to hear it, and I hope they love it as much as I do.”

In the world of Country music, a fresh, vibrant talent is emerging. Briana Dinsdale has a voice that captures the essence of both heartache and hope, and her journey in music has already been marked by remarkable achievements. In 2022, Briana’s dedication to her craft were recognised when she was awarded the prestigious Keith Urban Scholarship to The CMAA Academy of Country Music.

Briana’s live performances are a testament to her captivating stage presence. Having graced the stages of acclaimed festivals such as the Groundwater Country Music Festival and the Gympie Music Muster, whilst also sharing stages with artists such as the Wolfe Brothers, John Williamson, Pete Murray, and The Whitlams.

What truly sets Briana apart is her exceptional songwriting prowess. Her lyrics resonate with wisdom beyond her years, delving into deep emotions that connect with listeners of all ages. Recognizing her talent, Briana has had the privilege of collaborating and co-writing with esteemed artists such as Casey Barnes and Bill Chambers, both ARIA award winners, and Melody Moko and Lyn Bowtell, both Golden Guitar winners.

Briana Dinsdale’s previous singles ‘Irresistible Force’ and ‘Last Name’ were well received by radio nationally and a with fast-growing fan base and respect from industry peers, firmly cements Briana as one of Australia’s brightest emerging country music artists.

Briana is set to create waves with this exciting new single release which promises to captivate audiences with its rich storytelling and soulful melody.

Briana Dinsdale’s new single ‘Whiskey Worked That Way’ is out to radio on 2nd April and digital platforms on 5th April.

Canadian country sensation, Dan Davidson, is a man of many talents: singer, songwriter and producer. With 8 CCMA nominations, 10 ACMA awards, a platinum record, a number 1 selling Canadian song and record, Top 20 charting numbers and hundreds of performances; Dan has amassed over 30 million streams globally.

Now signed to ABC MUSIC for Australia, Dan has made a commitment to this market with previous hit singles and touring. As Dan confirms, “I am so very excited to be working with the ABC Music team! Australia has become my country music home away from home over these last few years; having a team there to help support me just solidifies my commitment to getting in front of Aussie country music fans as much as I possibly can. Jenny, Natalie and the team are incredible at what they do, this is just the start of a great ride together”!

ABC Country label manager, Jenny Peachey, reiterates, “We are excited to welcome Dan to the ABC roster. Natalie Waller (Head of ABC Music) and I have watched his increasing impact on our charts, festivals and his willingness to work with local talent over the last few years.”

The first single, “Won’t Forget”, with ABC Music is an all-star country collaboration. The track includes not only Dan but also fellow Canadian country heavyweight, Tim Hicks, and Australia’s very own Golden Guitar winner, Max Jackson.

The single will be the first track released from Davidson’s forthcoming album release, “Nineteen Eighty Something – Australian Special Edition”, available digitally April 12th. For Dan, “This record was inspired by the songs I heard on the radio growing up; the songs that transcended genre and era. I wanted to try and bottle the feeling I got from Brian Adams, Don Henley, and Bruce Springsteen – and make it country. I’m so happy how this record came together – its filled with bright, nostalgia inducing country music, that makes you remember how it feels to be 17, borrowing your parents car, rolling down the windows down and turning the music up.”

The album will be the precursor to Dan’s arrival in Australia for April tour dates including co- headlining at Stock Route Festival in Dubbo and the Beer Shed in Sydney.

‘Only A Cowgirl’ is a romantic three-quarter time traditional feeling cowboy waltz that paints a picture of a lovely lady who is equally at home on the range on horseback, as she is working big business deals in the city. The love of the range on horseback wins. Ultimately, the song depicts determination, and versatility that attracts a cowboy to his cowgirl. ‘Only A Cowgirl’ is the result of Larry sitting down with Nashville hitmakers, Kirsti Manna and Bill Diluigi, in Nashville.

Larry Cann is known for his life as a rodeo man and living the cowboy life, but he also has always had strong rural roots. Growing up in the country on the Western Darling Downs of Queensland and these days living in the South Burnett just down the road, Larry has a passion for country music. This is fuelled by a life rich in experience, from the farm in Chinchilla Queensland, to competing across North America.

From rodeo to radio and back again, Larry has been fortunate to be able to work continuously within the industries that he loves. He has worked as a competitor in rodeo, to a ring announcer, and in radio has been lucky to have been on-air for more than fifteen years with programming, marketing, and announcing. Larry’s weeks are filled with helping others promote and run their events professionally. From rodeos, AgQuip shows, field days, to music festivals … It’s all part of his life.

Brewn, Canberra’s own stalwarts of the stage, present “Hands Up,” their latest single, crafted with passion to keep the crowd on their feet, clapping in time to every beat.

Inspired by more than a decade of musical exploration, and fuelled by their dedication to the journey, this track captures the bands unwavering passion for the craft.

“Any band that has been together for almost 15 years goes through some rough patches, but our mateship and passion for music has always kept us together. This track is an anthemic tale of Country music saving us at those many crossroads.” – Mick Bond (Lead Vocal, Guitar)

This track showcases the band’s collaborative spirit. Each member contributes their own unique flair, from the drummer’s rhythmic foundation to the soaring guitar melodies, and the lead vocal delivering the essence of Brewn’s signature country rock style. The energy is certain to get people to their feet.

“This track unites the band, all of us equal as one. An understanding that we are all on the same path, but more importantly of happiness in who we are. Strength in numbers is a gesture we can all relate to.” – Anthony Barbara (Guitar)

Brewn lives for the electric atmosphere of their live shows, where they feed off the energy of the crowd. This single captures the essence of those thrilling moments, showcasing the band’s love for performing and the infectious spirit they bring to the stage. Nothing like seeing a sea of people, singing along, with their “Hands Up”!

Following the success of her family project SToRer, Sara Storer is back with a solo track with what can be described as one of the most accessible songs of her career.

In a departure from character based or rural inspired songs, ‘Under Darwin Stars’ draws on themes of love and life in the city where she now lives.

‘Dust Kids’, a track from the SToRer album which featured her sibling Greg Storer and his daughters, Bonnie and Pip , took out the Golden Guitar for Bush Ballad of the Year at the Country Music Awards of Australia held in Tamworth in January this year.

Never one to stand still, Sara travelled to Tasmania late last year to record with long-time award-winning producer Matt Fell, and ‘Under Darwin Stars’ is the first offering from these creative sessions.

When asked about the inspiration behind ‘Under Darwin Stars’, Sara enthused, “There is so much to love about a hometown or a place where you’ve lived. I wanted to take a few of the things I treasure about Darwin and the north and put it in a song for all. Darwin, like anywhere in Australia, has its own unique things. The long miles, laska, the lightning and many more things are what I love about Darwin.”

Sara’s talents are not limited to singing, songwriting and performing. In between recording and touring Sara can usually be found in her home studio with her paints and canvasses creating some stunning pieces including the cover artwork for ‘Under Darwin Stars’. Many of her paintings and prints will soon be available for purchase from her website.

‘Under Darwin Stars’ is the first of several planned releases in 2024 ahead of a full album in 2025. Sara will take to the road in March for a series of shows under the banner of the Ricochet Community Recovery Tour. This is the third time that Sara has performed for the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal where she takes her show to towns in Australia that have suffered the effects of flood, bushfires, drought or more recently, economic downturn due to the pandemic.

Tori Forsyth releases her new single ‘All We Are’. This comes after the single ‘Good Enough’ and announcing her highly anticipated third studio album, All We Have Is Who We Are, which is scheduled for release on Friday May 3rd. The singer-songwriter launched 2024 with a nomination for the 2024 Q Music Award for ‘Sometimes’, and the release of her previous single ‘Good Enough’, featuring backing vocals from mentor and friend Kasey Chambers.

Tori’s last six months have been crammed with touring highlights. She locked down a coveted tour slot with American superstar Jackson Dean, and performed to packed audiences at the Gympie Muster, BIGSOUND, Groundwater Country Music Festival, and more. The new album is already earning critical acclaim: lead single ‘Sometimes’ has been nominated for Vocal Collaboration of the Year at 2024 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards. It’s just the start of Tori’s best era yet.

Opener ‘All We Are’ cracks open the album in rollicking fashion, thrumming bass and drums lifting as Tori’s vocals soar up the register. As Tori says, it’s the track that sets the tone for the entire record. “It’s about peeling the layers apart to understand that bad things don’t make you bad and good things don’t make you good,” she says. “You just are. And it’s okay to accept all of the parts of yourself. And at the end of the day, that’s all we have to fall back on.”

The Sunshine Coast artist explains, “This song is an ode to the place that brought me back to the foundations of who I am. Belladonna Hollow. A magical healing place of self-discovery and wonder. A place that was the springboard of my ultimate mission of seeking joy and not wallowing in my own self-pity. That joy and happiness is available to all. The place where I learned that self-deprecation and pity is not a heroic gesture, it’s merely a self-fulfilling narcissistic prophecy that has been taught and spread across this generation. We deserve wonderful, lovely things, our neighbours do too and when we have true joy in our hearts this will spread and create joy in the world. I am imperfect in this, but the notion is the bookmark I’ll use in each chapter of my life.”

The new single is supported by an official video directed by Bradley Murnane who also shot the video for Tori’s previous singles ‘Sometimes (feat Shane Nicholson)’, ‘Made Your Bed’, and ‘Good Enough’. Filmed in Eudlo, Queensland, in the same location as the previous singles, Bradley shares,

‘All We Are’ is produced by Scott Horscroft (Charlie Collins, Brooke & Adam Eckersley) and recorded at The Grove Studios, NSW with her full band of Reece Baines (drums), Matthew Newton (guitars) and Zachary Miller (bass). Joining Tori in the studio are the Mak Brothers, Thom (guitar) and Andy (keys), as well as on pedal steel guitar, multi-instrumentalist Jy-Perry Banks.

Tori has been cultivating a steadily growing fanbase since the release of her evocative single ‘New Wall’ and her acclaimed EP Black Bird (2016). Tori’s highly anticipated 2018 debut album Dawn of the Dark was hailed as one of the standout country album releases of the year and her second album Provlépseis (2021) produced singles ‘Be Here’ and ‘Down Below’ which resonated with her loyal fans. Tori currently boasts over 15 million artist global streams on Spotify alone.

Refreshed and refocused, ‘All We Are’ is the second single Tori Forsyth has released this year. Returning to her unique alt-country sound that first launched her music career, 2024 has kicked off to a great start for the 4 x Golden Guitar Nominee.

There is a newfound freedom and lightness propelling Tori back to her rightful place at the forefront of Australian country music.

Nashville-based Aussie artist Wesley Dean shares a special version of his new song “Blood Brothers”. This full-band rendition is a preview of the emotionally charged acoustic version that’s featured on his much-anticipated upcoming LP “Music From Crazy Hearts” out April 26th.

Dean is hot off the back of the Crazy Hearts Across America Summer Tour where he and his family drove over 5000 miles from Nashville to Los Angeles in an RV via towns steeped in musical history playing shows off the beaten track; Memphis, New Orleans, Luckenbach, Marfa, Las Vegas, and more. With a director and cameraperson in tow, the tour was recorded as part of the upcoming feature Crazy Hearts: The Documentary, where “Blood Brothers” and the other nine album tracks complement the soundscape to Dean’s own story of breaking the industry mold to carve out his name independently.

“Deep longing of nostalgia has always been a fountain of endless creativity for me, and ‘Blood Brothers’ is about a friendship from birth that was unbreakable, and then broken,” shares Dean. “The line ‘grown up problems kill off the young’ is the heart of the chorus because time’s sleight of hand can sometimes deceive the young into thinking everything lasts forever.”

“Every line in the song has a distinct lucid memory, taking me back to memories of the small country towns where I grew up. The freedom of two pre-teen boys running through paddocks and ‘getting lost in open spaces’, climbing on farm machinery, kicking the football together and talking about girls. I really wanted to convey that sentimental feeling in this song. The distant dream of two best friends who’ll always have ‘the memories of what matters the most’, because even though adulthood dissolved their connection, the imprint of their innocence still exists ‘somewhere in the corridors time’.”

Previously, Dean released “Don’t Look Back” featuring Sarah Buxton. With first single “Burn This House,” the two tracks have attracted early attention from BrooklynVegan, Whiskey Riff, Holler and more. In Australia, Dean released “Gunslinger”, a song addressing masculinity in amongst riffs that rip through your body like a 90’s rock song, but draws you in with the skill of Springsteen.

From tip to stern the Crazy Hearts pirate ship was destined to be a record for the road. Captured in just five flurried days at RCA and conjuring timeless images reminiscent of Young Guns, Dean’s basaltic, corduroy-clad voice inhabits characters here like those first popularized in Gunfighter Ballads by Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash’s “Don’t Take Your Guns to Town.” Though Dean draws effortlessly and intuitively from the archetypal well of the cowboy ballads that gave original rise to American country music, and Crazy Hearts solemnly salutes both Marty Stuart and Buck Owens with its integrity-driven narratives, this is not just a horse of a different color, but one pointed in a completely different direction. Crazy Hearts is an album full of stories that will cleave you in half, sung by a seeker’s voice that was designed to stitch you back together in a more self-sustaining style than you were wearing yourself before.

For more than a dozen years Dean’s been one of Australia’s best-known artists, armed with a larger-than-life voice that catapulted songs like “You” to the top of the charts. Even so, the Adelaide native found himself boarding an American-bound plane in early 2021 with his young family. Dean’s effortless ability to embody multiple genres, such as roots rock, soul and folk meant, after a brief hiatus from the spotlight of earlier years, Dean was able to return to music on his own terms, writing songs that mixed heartland hooks with heart-baring honesty for his previous album and American debut, “Unknown”.