Jason Owen is back with a stunning version of one of John Denver’s most iconic songs – ‘Back Home Again’. This version is a duet with fellow country music star Tania Kernaghan.

The single will be released on May 14 – the same day as Jason’s new upcoming album – “Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The Acoustic Sessions”. The album also features such classics as ‘Take Me Home’, ‘Country Roads’, ‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’, ‘Rocky Mountain High’ and ‘Calypso’.

With the release of his first album in four years, the X Factor star will tour nationally from August onwards.
This new album follows on from the huge success of Jason’s first tribute album to John Denver – “Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The 20th Anniversary Album” which spent seven weeks on the ARIA charts. A national tour followed including shows at The Sydney Opera House.

“I’m probably one of the biggest John Denver fans in the entire country, and have been ever since I was a boy,” says Jason. “The very first song I ever performed on a national stage was the Denver classic ‘Annie’s Song’ when I was first on the X Factor back in 2012. ‘Back Home Again’ is one of my all-time favourites and is something I have always related to, given my country upbringing in Albert, NSW. To duet with Tania on it was just incredible as she’s truly one of Australian country music’s all-time greats.”

In between putting the finishing touches to the album in 2020, Jason used the downtime to make enormous inroads with his charity Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids which supports regional and isolated kids across the country. For his efforts, the 27-year-old recently won two awards in the prestigious 7News Young Achiever NSW/ACT Awards picking up the Freemasons Of NSW/ACT Community Service Award as well the popular vote for the People’s Choice Award.

The single ‘Back Home Again’ will be on all digital/streaming platforms from May 14 AND physical copies of “Jason Owen Sings John Denver: The Acoustic Sessions” is available for pre-order now from Sanity & JB Hi-Fi

For her first release in two years, Tamworth songbird Sally-Anne Whitten has drawn inspiration from the lighthouse people in her life. Following a dark year where the artist dealt with her mum’s illness, not being able to visit her due to Covid restrictions, loss of all live performances and personal contact with family and friends; 2020 then took her precious mum too.

Despite all the heartbreak, Sally-Anne insists, “I was adamant this had to be a bright, light song. A tribute to all those warrior friends who just keep on keeping on. Legends. I had this idea running around for ages about a song with respect to these people in my life. Those who were unfailingly always there for me when I needed them. And those people are friends and family who had already been or were going through the most incredible hardships in their own lives, but bravely kept their heads up and charged on. They’re so inspiring, they’re not afraid of the dark but also not afraid to help others through the dark.”

Like most, Sally-Anne could at least connect online with not only family and family but also fellow local musician James Craswell (Jimmy Craz Band). Sally-Anne’s co-writer took her half-written song via a rough recording on a smartphone and got the vibe straight away. A gifted singer-songwriter in his own right, James also sang backing vocals on the track. To complete the song, guitarist and producer Alwyn Aurisch put away his trademark slide guitar and added some magic by channelling Mark Knopfler to keep the song on the bright side.

‘Not Afraid Of The Dark’ will be released on Friday April 30th with a launch party that evening at The Press 2340 – Tamworth

Brendan Deehan has worked in the Sydney pub scene for the last 15 years, playing covers as a soloist and part of the duo, Red Light Ruby. Like many artists, he has his dad’s record collection to thank for leading him to country music.

With influences including The Beatles and John Denver to discovering Keith Urban in his 20s, teenage Brendan also loved Nirvana. At a time when grunge music was king, he naturally gravitated to it and even played in a few genre-specific bands.

But the singer-songwriter kept crafting softer acoustic songs geared towards finger-picking and prettier sounds. A natural pull to country music was inevitable. However, a focus on honing his live music skills put a stop to the writing for almost a decade. Fast-forward to 2020, no live gigs and free time meant songwriting was once again the focus.

Self-penned, ‘2 Hours’ is based on the night Brendan met his partner. A discussion during Covid-lockdown about their first date and how the nervous musician took almost two hours to even look at her, lead to this debut single. Brendan and Katy recently welcomed their first child to the family, so celebrating this memory in song is certainly special. ‘2 Hours’ was mostly recorded in Brendan’s home studio with some fine-tuning and mixing by the award-winning Matt Fell.

‘2 Hours’ will be available on all download/streaming platforms from February 19th, 2021

‘So Fine’ the new single from Tamworth’s Sky Valley Band was written and recorded by all four members. Penned after lead vocalist Karen ‘Kaz’ Bevitt observed those around her and noticed that as is often the case, opposites do attract. The follow-up to 2020’s ‘Maybe The Moon’ shows just how different two people can be but somehow they fall in love and it just works!

The country rock band took advantage of the spare time that 2020 presented them and focused on writing and recording. This coming year will see Sky Valley Band release their lockdown best. With so much uncertainty still affecting the entertainment industry the band is focused on bringing their fans some great country music!

“But we're one of kind, you and I, you and I so fine.
Honey take my hand and we'll jump, it's alright, you and I so fine”
Sky Valley Band, 2020

To check out the music video CLICK HERE

‘So Fine’ is available now on all digital/streaming platforms

Country music recording artist Jason Owen is gearing up for a massive 2020 festive period with the release of his first ever Christmas single 'So This is Christmas'. Jason recorded the cover of the classic John Lennon & Yoko Ono song to coincide with his charity run for Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids. Jason’s charity raises funds for children doing it tough in regional areas.

Jason says: “I’ve wanted to release this cover version for a while now as the words really resonate with what I’ve been trying to achieve with my charity. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of when this iconic song was first released so I’m honoured to be singing such an impactful, timeless tribute. I also had a group of kids from the Blue Mountains, NSW – one of the bushfire-affected areas – singing the backing tracks which made it even more poignant. I hope it will bring joy to people.”

Jason will shortly embark on an epic drive covering 10,000 kms in 10 days across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria in line with restrictions to personally deliver funds, toys, gifts and groceries to more than 500 children in need, supporting local businesses along the way. Major sponsors include Coles, Big W, Officeworks, Bunnings and Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

A proportion of funds raised through sales of 'So This is Christmas' will be donated to Doin It For Rural Aussie Kids.

Bursting onto the Australian music scene in 2012 as runner up of the X-Factor, Jason launched his debut album “Life Is A Highway” which debuted at number one on the ARIA Top 40 Country Albums chart and number five on the ARIA Top 20 Australian Albums chart. He has since released three more albums. “Friday Night” containing his first original hit single ‘Damn Right’; “Proud”, his first all-originals album celebrating his First Nations background and most lately, “Jason Owen Sings John Denver: the 20th Anniversary”.

To view the ‘So This Is Christmas’ music video CLICK HERE 

‘So This is Christmas’ will be available on all leading digital/streaming platforms from Friday November 27