Today, country music’s fastest-rising star Shawn Austin kicks off 2023 with the Old DominionNo Bad Vibes Tour. Shawn Austin will be performing the Canadian dates of the tour alongside Steven Lee Olson and Frank Ray.
Austin has just come off of his best year to date with his debut EP, Planes Don’t Wait. The debut EP was released on June 29, 2022. The 7 track EP is chalked full of hits and has laid the foundation for what is to come from the Vancouverite as he steps into the next chapter of his burgeoning career.
“I was blown away by the fans’ reaction to my last single,” said Austin. “It was, by far, the fastest charting and climbing single I’ve ever released and I’m so excited that we’re following it up with the announcement of my debut EP with Local Hay Records. This is just the beginning of what we have in store for everyone, so get ready!”
Produced by Scott Cooke, the 7-track collection includes Austin’s collaboration with Chris Lane, “Tailgate To Heaven,” in addition to other fan-favourites “Get You”, title track “Planes Don’t Wait,” and his latest single ''Slip.''
''We have only just begun to see what Shawn Austin is capable of. It has been really exciting to watch Austin's musical journey and see his growth as a singer/songwriter. Austin is so talented at his craft and he has worked so hard for his place in country music. He understands what it takes to succeed in this industry and his star is only going to keep on climbing. Everyone better buckle up!!! We are on one hell of a ride with this artist.''
“In our world, a lot of people are as passionate about what machinery or truck they drive as they are about almost anything in life. We feel that as a result of growing up in this environment, we would be remiss not to write a song that speaks to this fun-loving banter.” Hunter Brothers
Upon release of their new single 'What Colour You Drive', the song received features from key DSP playlists including Spotify's Live Country, New Music Friday Canada, New Music Friday Country, Apple Music's Lil Bit Country, Country Wide, Back Porch Country, Canada's Country, New Music Daily, Country Caffeine, Today's Country, New In Country, Amazon Music's Fresh Country, Poppin' Country, Just North of Nashville and YouTube Music's The New Crop, RELEASED, Big Country, Canadian Country Moment + more!
The track will be included on their upcoming EP set for release in January 2023. Keep an eye out for the EP announcement, headline tour dates for next year + more
Real life brothers, J.J., Dusty, Luke, Brock, and Ty, are no strangers to hard work, perseverance, and discipline. Life on a family farm wasn’t always easy, but the brothers attribute much of their success to their rural upbringing in a home dedicated to faith, music, and sport. With over 61 million video & audio streams to date, Hunter Brothers have amassed a large volume of industry credibility in a record amount of time, including multiple CCMA Award nominations, JUNO Award nominations and SCMA Award wins.
Hunter Brothers' third studio album, Been A Minute, is a compilation of their signature harmonies and up-tempo hits which delve into the heart of the times the world is presently walking through. Their sophomore album, State of Mind, was released in 2019 and remained the #1 selling country album for four consecutive weeks following its release. “Lost” (their first #1 single at country radio), “Those Were the Nights” (from their debut album Getaway) and their Top 10 smash hit “Born and Raised” have all been certifiedGold in Canada. In 2020, Hunter Brothers were the #3 most played Group or Duo on country radio in Canada. Known for their energetic and entertaining live shows, the group has played major country festivals in Canada and the U.S. and toured with country icon Paul Brandt.
''The Hunter Brothers are so talented with their signature pitch-perfect harmonies and their crazy talent to deliver songs that go right for the heart,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host for the International Music's Journey Show.
''There is a connection that the Hunter Brothers have with their fans that is so special. A big part of that connection relates to how humble, genuine, and kind they all are. Their songwriting and music inspire and lift your spirits helping us all to remember the importance of human connection.''
''I had the chance to chat with lead vocalist Ty Hunter. We chatted about family values, life on the farm, faith, and the impact of family core values on their lives. We talked about so many things that make these 5 brothers so special. I have become such a fan of these incredibly talented brothers because they are not afraid to write about real-life issues, whether it is a personal struggle or struggles they see around them. They care from the deepest parts of their souls with everything they release in music. They connect with their lyrics and music reminding us all to embrace life with everything we have. The joy, love and values of what life truly is all about. It is refreshing to see artists like the Hunter Brothers so full of life and what you see is exactly who they are.''
''We are going to be seeing big things from the Hunter Brothers. Their star is going to keep growing brighter and brighter. I am so excited about their upcoming high-energy live shows and their new EP slated for release this summer.''
You will never guess what Ty's best most useless talent is...check it out by clicking on the link below.
Albertan emerging country artists Flaysher dropped their energetic new single “Good For You” via all streaming services.
Rooted in the influence of their farmland upbringing, Flaysher, born and raised Albertans, take their identifiable grit and edgy tones to a whole new level. You can almost hear the sawdust in their voices from growing up working for the family business. Their single "Good For You" speaks to the stubborn side in all of us – coming to terms with missing an ex, but refusing to change who we are to go chase them. This song was produced by the incredible Dan Swinimer who has worked with some of the best (Billy Currington, Tenille Townes, Madeline Merlo, Tim Hicks, just to name a few).
Based on the last name of two ‘born and raised’ Albertan brothers, Flaysher is a CMAB Award-nominated Canadian country duo and Top 12 finalist in Alberta Music's 2021/2022 PROJECT WILD competition. They have grit in their blood harmonies and unvarnished truths in their lyrics. Inspired by the storytelling in 90s country and the high-octane energy of heartland rock classics, Flaysher’s songs are rooted in the influence of their upbringing. Raised in small-town Airdrie, you can almost hear the sawdust in their voices from growing up on dusty job sites working for the family business.
Flaysher's new single, “Good For You,” has undeniable hometown country tones, Flaysher’s identifiable edgy tones are taken to a new level. This translates into their most raw single to date. The song speaks to the stubborn side in all of us – coming to terms with missing an ex but refusing to change who we are to go chase them.
“We had a blast recording this one with Dan Swinimer. It’s a little more of the rock growl mixed in with classic country music storytelling. The song is introspective while also boldly acknowledging that sometimes a relationship just isn’t the right fit.”
Flaysher’s single, “Wild One,” was released in February 2022. It was written by Nashville heavy hitters Tebey, Emma-Lee, and Karen Kosowski and was produced by Dan Swinimer (Billy Currington, Tenille Townes, Madeline Merlo, Tim Hicks, to name a few). The track is their highest streaming single to date and increased their Spotify listenership by +11,000%.
Their debut single, “Flat Broke Famous," was produced by Juno award-winning producer, Matty McKay (Brett Kissel) and was released in March 2020. The brother’s February 2021 sophomore single, “Ride,” was well received by Canadian country radio and garnered the support of Sirius XM/CBC Country. “Coastin,” which was released in July 2021, continued this upward trend with adds on 22 radio stations as well as a spot on SiriusXM/CBC Country. The track also had Flaysher named the “Most Active Indie” artist (all genres) at Yangaroo’s DMDS for the week of July 16, 2021.
Prior to expanding their sound and leaning into country, Flaysher had their start as a classic rock cover band. They performed over 200 shows in their teens and won the Olds Rock 104.5 star search contest in 2015. They released “Starting Over” in 2016, a rock EP that was bursting at the seams with the unwavering optimism and relentless vitality they had when they hit their 20s.
These true blue-collar boys are known for their high-energy live performances. They’ve performed at Country Thunder and the Calgary Stampede, headlined the Alberta Summer Games to an audience of over 6,000 people and sold out the King Eddy (Calgary, AB) multiple times. Every time they hit the stage you can’t help but feel the passion these two brothers have for performing and lifting people up.
''Albertan brothers, Brad and Ryan, country's hot duo Flaysher, are ones to watch,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''I had such a great time getting to know Brad and Ryan. I love it when I come across artists like Flaysher who understand music deeply and are so talented as songwriters with an incredible future in the music industry. I am going to be watching this country duo and if you haven't heard of Flaysher before, you are going to want to check them out.''
To hear my interview with Brad and Ryan, country duo Flaysher, click on the link below.
''I took a backway home last year and drove by my mom and dad's old farm. The house and barns were gone with just the mailbox left standing, overlooking a large cornfield. I actually said out loud "man, I loved that old house". The line stayed with me and on my next trip to Nashville, after telling friends Sam & Tempy, we wrote Christmas in the Country.''
Dan started playing guitar at the age of seven, beginning with lap steel, and by the time he was ten he was playing acoustic and wrote his first song for his mom; “Someone Like You”. His dad integrated him into the band he was playing bass for and by the time he was 13, Dan was the bass player and harmony singer for a local weekend band. His credits include over 200 albums as a singer/songwriter, producer, and bassist.
Dan was bandleader for the late Colleen Peterson for several years. He has toured with George Fox, Terry Sheridan, Colleen Peterson, and South Mountain. He has guested as a singer/bassist for many gospel shows both live and on television.
Dan has shared the stage on shows with Emmy-Lou Harris, Pirates of the Mississippi, Waylon Jennings, Toby Keith, Marty Stuart, and Martina McBride to name a few.
Dan had great success releasing 5 singles to radio before being asked to audition for award-winning band South Mountain. Dan became their lead singer/bassist and spokesperson in Canada, signed to Stony Plain Records, and distributed worldwide by Warner Brothers.
The band toured Canada and Europe extensively and was in high demand. They had a successful album “Where There’s A Will” offering four chart successes and several Canadian Country Music Association nominations.
Dan has hosted two television shows for Cogeco Canada; highlighting Canadian up & coming talent. He is a much sought after, writer and producer splitting his time between Nashville and home, Stirling, ON Canada.
''I had the pleasure of sitting down for a chat with the one and only Dan Washburn,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''Dan's music has been played all around the world, on television and in films. His talent as a singer/songwriter and producer is astounding. I had so much fun chatting with Dan about how much the music industry landscape has changed over the years. We talked about his recent projects in the UK and Ireland, his new Christmas single, and brand new music on the way for 2023.''
Check out my interview with Dan Washburn by clicking on the link below.
stumbling upon each other while they navigate their way through their pain.
Get your ears on this relatable lyric, modern sound, and killer feature vocal by Shantaia.
Throughout his career, Brody Sieberthas worked hard to continually grow as an artist. In the short time he has been on the scene, Brody has played Country Thunder Saskatchewan, Rockin' River Music Fest, and the CCMA Rock N’ Country Cabaret. He has shared the stage with the likes of Aaron Goodvin, Terri Clark, Emerson Drive, Aaron Pritchett, and Granger Smith just to name a few.
In 2017, Siebert walked away with the Saskatchewan Country Music Association’s Male Artist of the Year award. Building on that success, he made the decision to split his time between Canada and Nashville to work on his craft of songwriting. His single “Sugar Coated” was released to radio in 2020 and tallied up 346,822 total streams on Spotify alone. His 2021 EP was nominated for SCMA Album of the Year and has accumulated a total of 430,635 streams on Spotify.
Siebert recently returned to the studio with one of the most buzzed about female voices in Canada, Sirius XM Top of the Country Finalist Shantaia, to serve up one of his best yet!
''Brody Siebert is no stranger to the award ballots here in Canada and his latest single ''Ashes On The Bar'' ft. country artist Shantaia, is another amazing song this year,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''I have been watching Siebert from the early days of his career and I knew there was something special about him. I had the pleasure of chatting with Siebert to talk about the incredible milestone in his career with over one million career streams as an independent artist and talk about his latest single ''Ashes On The Bar''. Join me with my special guest to hear some great stories and influences in Siebert's musical journey by clicking on the link below.
With the release of his dazzling new single, “Made in Mexico,” the acclaimed Canadian country singer-songwriter and part-time Nashvillian confidently charts a new chapter in a career already stacked with accolades, awards, and a devoted fanbase of the sort some artists spend a lifetime building.
Expertly produced by Lindsay Rimes, whose work on Kane Brown’s “Heaven” and LoCash’s “I Love This Life” ensured both tracks conquered North American country charts, the propulsive, sun-drenched “Made in Mexico” elevates Ethridge’s crisp, emotive voice and trademark can’t-resist-it melody. It’s the kind of breezy anthem you fully expect to hear pouring out of car speakers at top volume.
“Lindsay was a guest producer on my second record” — 2020’s critically praised Good with Me, co-produced by JUNO Award–winning Brian Howse — “and I knew I wanted to work with him again. We met during a writing session in Nashville in 2019. It’s like the guy can read my mind,” Ethridge says. “We plan on doing more together.”
Ethridge’s first new music in two years follows a heap of personal and career highs and lows including, in the highs column, getting hitched to long-time love, country singer Kalsey Kulyk in 2019 and the birth of their son Wilder in the summer of 2021. Yet despite its rather complex genesis, “Made in Mexico” is a clear snapshot of where Ethridge sits right now both sonically and lyrically.
“I can’t wait for people to hear ‘Made in Mexico.’ It’s been too long, and for a bunch of reasons, not just the pandemic,” Ethridge says, referencing a record and publishing deal that, despite everyone’s best efforts, failed to launch. “This year is all about starting over, rebranding, and planning how to move things going forward. We are full steam ahead now.”
For an artist who admits to “fighting against a music career my whole life; I’m passionate about it but also terrified,” Ethridge has made astonishing inroads in country music on both sides of the 49th parallel.
His self-titled debut EP, issued in 2018, debuted at #1 on the iTunes country charts while producing the smash hit “If You Met Me First,” its video achieving more than 10 million views on YouTube. A year later, Ethridge picked up a CCMA Rising Star nomination adding to his prestigious 2016 CCMA Discovery Award win. By the time the before mentioned Good with Me album arrived two years later, the Sarnia, ON. native was given a feature spot on country superstar Gord Bamford’s “Rednek Music Fest” national tour.
To date, Ethridge — who describes himself as a spontaneous songwriter with “about a million ideas recorded on my phone” — boasts an incredible 65 million artist streams globally. He is currently registering over 35,000 daily streams in the weeks prior to the September 30 release of “Made in Mexico,” further cementing his status as an independent artist, albeit one with six Top 50 Canadian Billboard hits and over 120,000 social media followers.
And yet, Ethridge almost didn’t pursue this dream. As he explains, his original, “safe” plan was to become a chiropractor. He did, first earning a degree in kinesiology and exercise physiology at Western University in London, ON.
“That’s when I really started cutting my teeth, performing in bars all the time, around 2007, 2008,” Ethridge recalls. “When I graduated in 2011, I had gotten into chiropractor school. A week before I was going to go, I decided to wait and pursue music. My family was, like, ‘Uh… are you sure?’ My buddy, who I also convinced to go to chiro school was like, ‘Dude, really?” Ethridge howls. “I decided to give it a year and ended up really liking it.”
These days, Ethridge sometimes finds himself in the unique position of “greeting patients while a song of mine comes on the radio,” he chuckles. Ethridge has proven equally dexterous at walking the enormously blurry line between country and pop. Both genres strive to grab ears and touch hearts, yet as Ethridge notes, “Pop can be catchy and fun, but country music is about storytelling. The lyrics take you somewhere.
“Funny enough, I wasn’t raised on country music. But I remember hearing ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ by Garth Brooks. I was on the bus in college, and I got super-emotional; that was a first. I was like, ‘Whoa, I didn’t know music could do that!’”
Ethridge continues: “I began discovering other country artists and before I knew it, I was immersed in it. When I started playing coffee shops and bars about 15 years ago, people would come up to me and say, ‘You should be a country singer.’ When I started writing songs on my own, the first thing I wrote was a country song. Not that I’d ever want that song to see the light of day now,” he laughs, “but the whole thing was very organic.”
Now, with a new management team in place, a full-time return to Nashville for him and Kulyk on the horizon, the whole of 2023 open to touring and recording, and “Made in Mexico” ready to soar, Ethridge is buckled in for his country music ascension.
“After the last several years I feel like I have a better idea of who I am and how I want to present myself to the world,” he confirms. “Family is number one and that definitely comes across in my new music. I took the last two years to home in on what I want to say and sing about. And I’m so excited for people to hear it.”
''Eric Ethridge is one of those artists that I have such respect for,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, host of the International Music's Journey Show, and radio host on 91.3 FM. ''Ethridge puts his heart and soul into everything he does. He is incredibly humble and cares so deeply about everything he releases and writes. Music is in his bones. I love watching him in his element on stage performing live for the audience. He is such a gifted singer and songwriter.''
Ethridge has a very special song that he will be debuting here on The Music's Journey Show towards the end of January or February 2023. He has written a very special song for his son, 'Wilder' and I can't wait to hear it and share it here on the show. Ethridge and his wife, country artist Kalsey Kulyk, will be traveling to Spain to perform together in the summer of 2023. Ethridge has picked up some new hobbies recently and shooting videos is one of them. They will be documenting their journey to Spain for all their fans to see. There are so many exciting things for fans to look forward to for this upcoming year.
To hear my interview with Eric Ethridge, click on the link below.
Released in February of 1992, Take It Like A Manmade Michelle the first Canadian‐born artist to have a Top Ten hit in the U.S. a #1 video on CMT‐USA and the first Canadian to win a major U.S. music industry award-winning the Academy of Country Music Top New Female Vocalist award in 1992. Michelle’s career skyrocketed with the success of “Take It Like a Man” as she garnered a total of twelve music industry awards, including the 1993 Canadian Country Music Association’s Fans’ Choice Entertainer Of The Year award and double platinum awards for Now & Then the same year.
The career that followed is one that many artists dream of having. A total of twelve album releases have sold millions of copies and produced twenty‐five Top Ten radio hits. Michelle enjoys an international career that has seen her grace concert stages across North America, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, and Asia. She has walked to podiums in music centers like Los Angeles and Toronto to accept more than forty major awards, including her 2011 induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Michelle has released a total of twelve albums, sold millions of records, and produced twenty‐five Top Ten radio hits. Michelle has performed in concert halls and stages across North America Europe, Africa, South America, Australia, and Asia, and in 2011 was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2021, when Michelle began work on her tenth studio project, she once again teamed with producer Bob Funk (the husband of the newest inductee into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, Patricia Conroy). "I'm so happy to be back in the studio working with Bob, and I am very excited about the new music that we are making. 2022 is the 30th Anniversary of the release of my Now & Then album. Ironically, that album’s title describes what it is that we are celebrating with this new music, so Milestone just seemed to fit.
Michelle describes the new project by saying, "Growing up in Merlin, ON, I spent many Saturday nights watching my mother and father playing music in their country bands. We would also spend long hours working the farm and listening to the sounds of R&B and Motown coming across the border from Detroit on our transistor radio. Making this record, I once again drew on all of my country influences and those R&B/Motown sounds. Blending these influences is a natural, authentic way to express me in my music. It always has been that way and always will be.”
''One of the tracks on the new project is "Small Town," a song that I co-wrote with Rick Ferrell and up-and-coming Canadian singer/songwriter Danielle Bourjeaurd. It was our first time writing together, and as we were tossing around ideas, Danielle began to ask me questions about my career. It was fun to reminisce, and at one point, she said, "That's what we need to write. We need to write your story." At first, I wasn't so sure if I wanted to write about myself, but once it started to present itself on the page, the song unfolded organically. In 3 minutes and 38 seconds," Small Town" says so much about the road that I've been on all these years. It makes me smile when I listen to it."
Michelle Wright, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame icon, logs the mile markers of her career with her co-penned new release Small Town track produced by Bob Funk, available on all platforms. Small Town serves as the lead single from her new album Milestone on BFD / Audium Nashville dropping in August. Michelle debuted the single she co-wrote with Danielle Boujeaurd and Rick Ferrell at her Country Music Association of Ontario and CMA Music Festival performances.
While the song serves as snapshot of her journey, fans have been dancing to this summer country smash with a pavement pounding Motown beat that drives the single. It’s only fitting that Michelle would dial in on the sound of Motor City as she was reared in the border town of Merlin, Ontario, Canada, a farming community of around 700 an hour away from Detroit.
Michelle has been traveling the world this year celebrating the 30th Anniversary release of her breakout album Now & Then. That project featured her signature hit Take it Like a Man alongside fan favorites, the storytelling, powerful ballad He Would Be Sixteen, and party starter Guitar Talk.
Michelle Wright continues to do what she loves to do; write songs and play them for audiences worldwide. With the release of Milestone (BFD/Audium Nashville), she showcases the distinctive musical style that has been the hallmark of her career. To pre-order Milestone, click HERE.
''Milestone is a special album by Canadian Hall of Famer Michelle Wright,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''It is always amazing to sit down with Michelle to talk about her incredible music career that has led her right to this moment with her new project Milestone. I had the chance to sit down and talk with Michelle about all 10 songs on this special project. I have so many favorites on this album and I know you will too. To hear my interview with country star Michelle Wright, click on the link below.
''Taming Sari is such an exciting Canadian Rock Band with their hard-hitting lyrics and insatiable energy in their live performances and music,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief forNOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''I am thrilled every time they have a new release. This band delivers for every classic rock fan to new-age rock audiences. They are simply brilliant. To hear my interview with Taming Sari, go to www.musicsjourney.com or click on the link below.
A hard-hitting anthem speaks of vulnerability, feeling exposed in a world where it is harder and harder to fly under the radar and the raw energy of youth. “No Shelter” acts as a visceral reminder to show compassion, and empathy to one another and cherish the people in your life — especially during an era filled with social trauma. It's also about forming strong relationships that make us feel connected. 'No Shelter' takes you on a journey and asks the question ''How long can it last?'' and ''Will you be with me to face what's next''?
Beyond its commentary, “No Shelter” is a blistering track that showcases the exceptional musicianship and vocal prowess of each member of Taming Sari. Listeners are treated to a sonically sophisticated song that is the culmination of Taming Sari’s pent-up creativity and energy during the pandemic; as the band says, “‘No Shelter’ is three minutes of pure mental and physical release that we all so desperately need in these times.”
“No Shelter” effortlessly exudes youthful energy through its meticulous guitar riffs and thunderous drums. “It's also about forming strong relationships that make us feel connected.” Anyone with a penchant for raw, melodic craftsmanship can be assured that the harmonies embedded in the music are as potent as the message.
“Let's settle the score know who to blame how long can it last? thing's will never be the same.”
Hailing from across Canada, Taming Sari is a collection of eclectic artists hell-bent on refining their distinct blend of classic rock and blues. This bilingual band has been on fire since the release of their debut album, Thirsty From The Drought, in 2019.
They have since performed during the intermission of an Ottawa Senators game, made it on the Canadian Active Rock charts, and racked up 200,000 streams and 70k listeners on Spotify with their last single alone. With a long list of recognitions and accolades, the release of their latest single ensures that Taming Sari is one of the most exciting Canadian acts today.
Mixing the old with the new, The Prairie States was born out of a desire to put a fresh touch on a classic design. As seven-time Country Music Alberta Award recipients, including the 2018 Rising Star. In 2019 HorizonGroup/Duo Of The Year and 2020 Songwriters of the Year, as well as 1st place in the 2018 Project Wild Artist Development Program, it’s proof that this Edmonton-based band is moving in the right direction.
Mat Cardinal (Big Stone Cree Nation, Wabasca/Desmarais AB),Jeff Dick (Edmonton AB), Mike Nash (Edmonton AB), Doc de Groot (Cranbrook BC), andJay Der (Red Deer AB) formed The Prairie States in 2017. It started writing songs for its full-length album, Lost In The Right Direction. Independently released in June 2018, it was nominated for the CMAB Album Of The Year and included three radio singles, which all broke the top 100 Mediabase Canadian Country Chart. Since then, the band has released four more singles, Every Little Town, Low Life, High That I’m Riding, and Ferris Wheel, which also cracked the top 100.
To go along with the release of Low Life, the band teamed up with Edmonton-based Sea Change Brewing Co to create a custom-branded beer called Low Life Lager. The brewery made 17000 tall boys of this perfect summer sipper, which included a Spotify QR code so the person enjoying the beverage could also “Scan The Can” to hear Low Life instantly.
The band recently signed with Willing Records/Universal Music and Sakamoto Agency.
The group’s latest release, Rebel Phase, is the first song from The Prairie States to be released by Willing Records. It’s about taking a soaring leap of faith, without a parachute, into a lifestyle that rides beyond the horizon of normal. It’s about roots that continue to grow but never stay planted and living a chosen life.
Exploring new technology is also as important to The Prairie States as expanding their musical palette. They recently became one of the first Canadian bands to release NFTs (non-fungible tokens) of their EP, available via OpenSea.io.
The Prairie States have been out on the road, wowing crowds with their undeniable live show. In their short time as a band, they’ve shared stages with Aaron Goodvin, Clayton Bellamy, Brothers Osborne, and Canadian legend Charlie Major while kicking off the 2019 Big Valley Jamboree.
Ready with a stack of new recordings underway, this band shows no signs of slowing down.
''The Prairie States has a really special sound all their own,'' says Kim Cyr, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine, radio host, and host of the International Music's Journey Podcast. ''The Prairie States are releasing amazing music one after the next. It is pretty exciting to hear their fresh sound on Canadian radio and they are just getting started. There is going to be some great music coming from this band. Their songwriting is infectious and catchy. They are the band to watch here in Canada. I had the chance to catch up withMike Dick to talk about their latest single and upcoming new music slated for August later this year. This interview is packed full of songs and stories.'' Check it out at www.musicsjourney.com or click the link below.
With over 2.2 million streams to his name, rising artist, songwriter, and producer Dustin Bird is pushing the boundaries of the country genre with his unique style and evocative storytelling. Today, he proves why he is one to watch with the release of his new single "Cowboy Stay," available everywhere via Open Road Recordings.
"Cowboy Stay" continues the storyline of his 2021 single "Get Go" (which earned him a 2022 Indies Award nomination for Country Artist of the Year), where Dustin proclaims his love for a partner he has yet to meet. In "Cowboy Stay" the lovers have united with a bond so strong that even a wild cowboy will hang up his hat and settle down.
"Cowboy Stay tells the story as old as love itself. The wild type, a little rough around the edges, finding that someone who (for the first time) causes a willingness to radically change their perspective and embrace all that love has to offer," Dustin shares.
"For me, this song solidifies the realization that love, in its fullness, has the ability to shape every part of my life. It describes the moment when you realize you’ve found someone whose love is so amazing that you’re willing to change that which was the core of your identity because you suddenly realize it has the potential to be so much more. The love to make even a cowboy stay!"
Dustin's latest collection of new music follows his debut album Unscripted which landed in the iTunes Top 10 upon its 2021 release. With a unique sound that takes the best from the classics and infuses forward-thinking songwriting and production, Dustin Bird brings a fresh face to country music and continues to push boundaries within the genre. Along with his notable Canadian country radio play (Top 40 single in Australia with "Every Little Town” + the video was added in rotation on CMT Australia), he has garnered an impressive 2.2 million streams to date, along with incredible support from DSP partners, finding his music featured on key playlists including Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Country, Spotify’s Live Country, New Music Nashville, RADAR Canada, AppleMusic’s Today's Country, New in Country, Canada’s Country, Little Bit Country, Country Lovin’, Country Risers, Back Porch Country and YouTube Music’s Country on the Rise. As a performer with a natural love for entertaining an audience, Dustin Bird has played major festivals such as Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Kempenfest, and more. His tour history also includes opening for major Canadian acts such as Tyler Shaw, Tim Hicks, Jess Moskaluke, and The Washboard Union, among others.
With tour dates and more new music set for release later this summer, Dustin Bird isn't finished telling his story and pushing the boundaries of country music. Be sure to follow Dustin Bird across social platforms for the latest content, or visit www.dustinbirdmusic.com.
I had the chance to sit down with him to talk about his new single, new upcoming music, and career. To hear my interview, click on the link below.
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