The singer-songwriter talks about writing Scared to Start during Covid, seeing fans sing along on the other side of the world, the songs connecting most with crowds, life on tour, and why a potential New Zealand bungee jump has him slightly nervous.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome to New Zealand & Australian tour experiences
01:30 - Auckland recommendations and Waiheke Island
02:05 - The possibility of a New Zealand bungee jump
03:29 - Touring with Noah Kahan
04:25 - Crowd reactions to Scared to Start
05:38 - Testing new music during shows
06:24 - Seeing fans connect with his music overseas
06:51 - Writing songs during Covid in Ohio
07:41 - Staying grounded while touring
10:00 - Why talking makes him more nervous than singing
11:21 - What fans can expect from a Michael Marcagi show

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Kaylee reflects on her first performance, how the festival helped shape country music across Australasia, her favourite CMC memories, camping with fans, and what audiences can expect from her 2027 festival set.

Timestamps:
00:00 - CMC Rocks' 20th anniversary and Kaylee's connection to the festival
00:58 - Realising this will be her eighth appearance
02:24 - Memories of her first CMC Rocks performance
03:20 - How CMC helped grow country music in Australasia
04:04 - Christchurch stadium performance and live-show discussion
04:44 - What fans can expect from her festival set
05:16 - Kaylee's experience camping at CMC Rocks
06:38 - Why CMC fans are the best in country music

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We caught up with them to chat about the journey that brought them there. The duo reflect on receiving a major CMA honour, share stories from the road, talk about their loyal fanbase, and reveal what Kiwi and Aussie country fans can expect when they hit the CMC Rocks stage.

Timestamps:
00:00 Receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
00:33 Why the honour feels surreal
00:58 "Country music cockroaches"
01:31 Turning social media into merch ideas
01:42 The fans who've supported them for decades
02:19 Joining the 20th anniversary of CMC Rocks
02:38 Returning Down Under and dealing with jet lag
03:18 Talking New Zealand and Auckland
03:49 Memories of New Zealand and the All Blacks
04:33 Why they love watching rugby
05:19 Looking forward to returning to Australasia
05:37 The Perth travel saga
07:30 Mick Jagger's three-song Perth story
08:31 Why CMC Rocks has become a country music institution
09:15 What fans can expect from a Brooks & Dunn show
09:32 Why performing is more fun after 35 years
10:16 Playing London and hearing fans sing every word
10:58 When crowds sing louder than the artists
11:20 The magic of live music never gets old

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Drew also reflects on the night his Auckland debut was cancelled, performing a surprise set at Jolene Bar, joining Kaylee Bell on stage, working with Tyler Hubbard and Luke Combs, touring with Luke Bryan, and his plans to bring a headline show to Kiwi fans.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Remembering the cancelled Auckland show
01:02 - Joining Kaylee Bell on stage in Auckland
02:10 - Plans for a future New Zealand headline tour
02:48 - Losing his label and starting over independently
04:32 - The success of She's Somebody's Daughter
04:50 - Why the album is called 'Farm Faith Family'
06:03 - Life with wife Katherine and sons Lyric and Ronen
06:15 - Building a cabin on the family farm
07:23 - Working with Tyler Hubbard and Luke Combs
09:07 - Dove hunting with Luke Bryan
10:24 - The Baldridge & Bonfire hometown festival
11:50 - Final message for New Zealand fans

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Tami opens up about the emotional moment she received the news, growing up watching the CMAs from a tiny TV in her family's touring motorhome, and why she never thought a CMA nomination would happen after moving to New Zealand more than 20 years ago. She also talks about returning to the Grand Ole Opry, touring with Ashley McBryde, and what this recognition means for Kiwi country music.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Tami reacts to her CMA Awards nomination
00:42 - Growing up watching the CMAs in her family's touring motorhome
01:12 - Why she thought her CMA dreams were over after moving to New Zealand
02:15 - "New Zealand is the reason for the success I have today"
03:45 - How Kiwi creativity helped shape her career
05:10 - Heading back to Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry
06:15 - Touring with Ashley McBryde
07:20 - Why her kids convinced her to stay for the CMA Awards
08:15 - Why the CMAs are Country Music's biggest honour
09:10 - "I've already won" and what the nomination means to her
10:00 - Looking ahead to Nashville

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Vincent opens up about his relationship with Stella Lefty, why performing at the Grand Ole Opry means so much, life on the road with Parker McCollum, and whether a New Zealand trip could be on the cards.

Timestamps
00:34 - Seeing his music reach audiences around the world
01:11 - Discovering songwriting later than most artists
02:15 - Growing up with an iPod and playlist obsession
03:20 - Talking about Stella Lefty and Something to Lose
04:08 - How their travelling relationship works
04:41 - What the Grand Ole Opry means to him
06:22 - Supporting Parker McCollum on tour
07:06 - The possibility of visiting New Zealand

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We chatted about his first trip to New Zealand, collecting strange souvenirs, and the similarities between Kiwi and Canadians.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Cameron's first few days in New Zealand
 00:12 - Gaming on tour and surviving bad hotel WiFi
 01:00 - Buying a hippo skull in Auckland
 01:47 - His expensive collection of weird pants
 02:25 - The similarities between Canadians and Kiwi
 03:37 - Growing up in Alberta and country culture
 04:07 - New music and fan reactions to Kingdom of Fear
 04:43 - Why he quit social media
 05:53 - Making a best friend through gaming
 06:19 - Why the people around him matter most
 06:50 - What Stagecoach was really like
 07:38 - What fans can expect from his live show
 08:06 - Backflips, stage antics and performance nerves
 08:42 - Why he's definitely not a gym guy
 09:11 - Cameron's favourite sayings explained
 10:05 - Performing Cool About It live
 10:56 - Touring with Dani Josie
 11:29 - Plans to return to New Zealand soon

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We popped into Gin Wigmore's newly opened Wigmore Deli and studio space to chat about about creativity, reinvention, and the deeply personal journey behind her upcoming album.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome to the newly opened Wigmore Deli
00:42 - How an impulsive purchase became a new business
02:13 - Building a space the local community needed
04:22 - Why creativity extends beyond music
06:04 - Finding roots in New Zealand for her children
07:11 - Revisiting old career memories and unreleased work
08:22 - Growing out of self-doubt and perfectionism
10:23 - A new era and a new album
11:01 - The inspiration behind Country Diamond
12:18 - The story that opens the album
13:48 - Why listeners will interpret the song differently
15:02 - The album's "beautiful" and "messy" sides
16:22 - Living openly and embracing vulnerability
18:19 - The lost album that almost never surfaced
19:26 - Stepping away from music and finding her way back
20:28 - Recovering Country Diamond and giving it new life
22:07 - The songs that survived from the original project
22:59 - Why artists should tell the truth, no matter what
24:29 - The women who inspired her storytelling
25:09 - Looking ahead to the album release and live shows

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Why the tour isn't coming to New Zealand (yet)
00:21 - Chase's first Aussie shoey experience
01:13 - James explains proper shoey etiquette
02:35 - How Small Town Smoke came together
03:54 - Discovering how similar they really are
04:50 - The quad bike rivalry that proved it
06:05 - Debuting the song live in Australia
06:45 - Hearing fans sing the song back after just days
07:32 - Nashville becoming a second home
08:00 - Why country music connects people worldwide
09:01 - How music brings people together
09:34 - Country music's booming popularity
10:21 - Why authenticity matters in country music
11:26 - Plans to finally get both artists to New Zealand

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He reflects on a whirlwind 24 hours, bucket-list moments, and the incredible reaction from Kiwi fans to a song released only a week ago.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Fresh off stage and feeling sweaty
00:47 - The story behind his travelling teddy bear, Tick
01:22 - First impressions of New Zealand
01:55 - Fishing trips and exploring Waiheke Island
02:23 - What it was like playing his first NZ show
03:00 - Why social media isn't his favourite part of the job
03:16 - Sea lions, hunting and his social media algorithm
03:50 - Looking back on how quickly life has changed
04:24 - The songs Kiwi fans surprised him by knowing
04:52 - Songs he still wants to write in the future
05:22 - The biggest misconception about Tucker
05:47 - Why all of his songs come from real experiences 
05:56 - The importance of being unapologetically authentic
06:08 - Why authenticity always wins with fans

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Fresh off a day of fishing and golf in Auckland, Jordan Davis shared about making the most of his time in New Zealand and growing his fanbase on the other side of the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - A successful New Zealand fishing trip
00:54 - Turning fresh snapper into dinner
01:28 - Shoutout to Captain Pete 
01:52 - The golf ball that smashed a windscreen
02:58 - Fans discovering him through Luke Combs
03:53 - His biggest career achievement so far
04:37 - The dream of playing Madison Square Garden
05:03 - The hit song that almost never got recorded
05:58 - Why he's not always the best song picker
06:05 - The importance of having a great team around you

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Life in Nashville during a winter storm
00:39 - Preparing for his first trip to New Zealand
01:47 - Why now was the right time to finally visit NZ
03:00 - Why You Make It Easy never leaves the setlist
03:36 - The songs he's excited to play live
05:23 - Why he's not looking forward to the flight
06:24 - Red stag hunting and exploring New Zealand
07:26 - Fishing, beaches and days off on tour
08:06 - What fans can expect from his live show
08:40 - The strategy behind releasing his new album
10:22 - The songs he's most excited for fans to hear
11:50 - The story behind Songs About Us
13:09 - How he first met Luke Bryan
14:18 - A friendship that grew beyond music
15:08 - Jason's love for Georgia football
15:48 - Looking ahead to New Zealand

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We caught up with lead singer Matthew Ramsey to talk about their long‑awaited arrival in NZ and their return Down Under.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Getting ready for New Zealand and Australia
00:22 - How international crowds compare to home
00:58 - Their willingness to do a shoey
01:19 - Returning to CMC Rocks as headliners
02:21 - What makes CMC Rocks so special
02:54 - Why overseas fans bring a different energy
03:33 - What they've heard about New Zealand
04:10 - Touring Christchurch for the first time 
04:42 - Choosing artists to open their shows
05:20 - Why positivity matters on tour
06:02 - The social media prank that backfired
06:50 - Their proudest recent achievement as a band
07:17 - Performing fan-requested shows at the Ryman
07:43 - Raising money for charity through music
08:07 - Songs fans keep asking them to revisit
09:25 - Why fan requests keep the music fresh
09:38 - Staying challenged as performers
09:46 - How they stay humble after seven CMA Awards
10:28 - The importance of friendship within the band
10:55 - Why their kids are the best song critics

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Maren reflects on navigating some of the most challenging years of her life, turning difficult experiences into music, and the songs that have resonated most with fans. She also shares the story behind Lemonade, why Too Good surprised her, and how motherhood continues to shape the way she sees the world.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Returning to New Zealand as a headliner
00:47 - Why now felt like the right time to come back
01:28 - Creating her most personal album yet
02:28 - The healing process behind D R E A M S I C L E
03:01 - The song that has surprised her most
03:56 - Why honesty and humour resonate with fans
04:13 - The iconic yellow dress from the album visuals
05:30 - The story behind Lemonade
06:28 - Turning a difficult day into a song
07:15 - Why Lemonade opens the album
08:21 - Finding strength in speaking your mind
08:43 - The meaning behind Cry In The Car
09:58 - Why sad songs can still make people dance
10:18 - Processing emotions and protecting your peace
11:03 - What motherhood has taught her about feelings
11:51 - How her son inspires her every day

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We chat with him ahead of his return to New Zealand about headlining his own shows, bringing songs from Learn The Hard Way to Kiwi fans, and why Auckland delivered some of the most memorable performances of his career.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why he couldn't wait to come back to New Zealand
00:45 - Exploring Auckland with his family
01:53 - The restaurants and places he still remembers
03:15 - Memories of performing at Eden Park
04:18 - Hearing thousands sing Buy Dirt in New Zealand
05:04 - Why country music connects people everywhere 
07:01 - The importance of connecting with a crowd
08:07 - Bringing songs from Learn The Hard Way on tour
09:16 - Kicking off his headline tour
10:09 - Switching off and refining the show
11:25 - Remembering the Australian shoey experience
13:00 - Country music's growth in New Zealand
 14:07 - Why he's grateful to be back

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Jackson Dean joined iHeartCountry NZ ahead of his very first trip to New Zealand to talk about bringing his live show across the world, connecting with fans in unexpected places, and why performing is unlike anything else.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Preparing for his first-ever trip to New Zealand
00:30 - The thrill of finding fans around the world
01:51 - What performing live feels like from the stage
03:07 - The concerts that inspired him growing up
04:56 - Behind the release of Make A Liar
05:28 - Creating content in forests, national parks and on the road
06:45 - Finding the perfect filming locations
08:05 - The stunning Gorge Amphitheatre experience
09:15 - What fans can expect from a Jackson Dean show
10:29 - Why seeing fans connect with the music means everything
11:38 - His plans for exploring New Zealand
13:32 - Jackson's huge Lord of the Rings obsession
14:58 - Why Hobbiton is now on his NZ bucket list
16:02 - Looking ahead to his first New Zealand show

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Australian country star Brad Cox is returning to New Zealand and he dropped by to talk about his upcoming album, touring regional New Zealand, and the friendships that have helped shape his career.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Why Brad is in New Zealand ahead of schedule
00:31 - Returning after his first NZ shows
01:02 - The significance of his first international gig
02:07 - The story behind his cheeky merchandise
02:46 - Inside the Drinking Pioneers fan club
03:28 - Building a live show centred around fun
05:11 - Why his band feels more like family
06:40 - Taking the new tour beyond Auckland 
07:55 - Why touring regional New Zealand matters
09:00 - Country music's rise in New Zealand
10:08 - Married life and wedding memories
11:20 - The inspiration behind the new album
12:23 - Writing about things that genuinely matter
13:14 - Songs about the cost of living and real-world issues
14:09 - Why he wants fans to dance at every show
15:30 - Staying off social media and avoiding trends
16:43 - The story behind Democracy Manifest
18:38 - What fans can expect from the new album
19:35 - Looking ahead to the NZ tour

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“I have been wanting to come to New Zealand for so long,” Lainey told iHeartCountry NZ. “I can’t believe that we are finally making our way over there. But we are, and it is our first stop on the other side of the world.”

Timestamps:

00:00 - Finally bringing the Whirlwind Tour to New Zealand
01:01 - The moment she realised NZ loves country music too
02:13 - What fans can expect from a Lainey Wilson show
02:57 - Why Heart Like A Truck means so much live
03:26 - Why she released a deluxe version of Whirlwind
05:26 - The songs she's most excited to share
05:39 - Why Peace, Love and Cowboys is one of her favourites
06:29 - What really makes someone a cowboy
07:04 - Bell bottoms, fashion and feeling confident
08:33 - Growing up in Wrangler jeans
09:07 - Country culture and living through the music
09:33 - The storytelling that shaped her career
10:18 - Why country music feels like home
10:32 - Looking ahead to New Zealand

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