I knew day three was going to be a good one with Sounds Australia putting on an all day Aussie BBQ showcase, followed by securing tickets to Nissan Stadium that night.

I walked back to my original accommodation that morning before catching an uber to The 5 Spot in East Nashville (1006 Forest Ave). It would have been an hour walk from my hotel and I’d already walked thirty minutes from one hotel to another in the heat so I saved myself the trouble and took the 7-minute drive instead, which, honestly, was the best decision I could have made.

Starting at midday, the line-up included Wade Forster, Taylor Moss, Homegrown Trio, James Johnston, Andrew Swift, Max Jackson, The Wolfe Brothers, Melanie Dyer, Travis Collins, Lane Pittman, Casey Barnes and Abbie Ferris, with a traditional Australian barbeque lunch.

What surprised me the most was that the room wasn’t only filled with fellow Australians but also internationals who had come to support our talented artists. The vibe at The 5 Spot was laid back, fun and supportive, with everyone just there to have a great time.

Wade Forster was the only artist that I personally hadn’t heard before. Having only attended his first Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2023 before taking home the prestigious title of Toyota Star Maker the following year, the artist and professional rodeo cowboy is still relatively new to the country music scene. His history is interesting, having been praised for his voice on the rodeo circuit but not taking it up professionally until after buying his first guitar on Facebook marketplace for $50 in 2017.

Forster was invited by US artist Cody Johnson in 2023 to perform with him on stage in front of 25,000 Luke Combs fans at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. He has also played at Winton’s Way Out West festival and Savannah In The Round. Additionally, he will open for US singer-songwriter (and one-half of Florida Georgia Line) Tyler Hubbard during his upcoming Australian tour.

Watching Forster perform, he has a real down-to-earth quality about him. His vocals are smooth with an outback twang to them. Following his set he had to rush off to the Spotlight Stage – not a bad gig for a new artist. The set highlight was his mental health anthem, Fighting Tears, which features on his 2022 debut album, The Beginning. I’d also recommend listening to his 2021 viral cover of Tyler Childer’s Oneida, which prompted requests for him to write original music.

Following Taylor Moss (who I spoke about on Day 2) was Homegrown Trio. Siblings Katelyn, Liam and Kasey O’Donoghue moved to Nashville in 2021, landing them opening slots for The Jonas Brothers, Kelsea Ballerina and Jordan McGraw during their US tour.The trio have been performing since 2010 and gained worldwide attention in 2018 when their leaked rendition of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car on The Voice Australia garnered over 1 million views.

Homegrown Trio’s performance was extra special with it falling on Kasey’s 22nd birthday. They additionally were surprised with time for an extra song, taking on a breath-taking acoustic version of Dolly Parton’s Jolene (it’s on my Instagram if you want to listen for yourself). They also performed their current single Heartbreaker, which will be followed by Call It Magic, due June 28.

Next up was James Johnston. Not to brag but I’ve been following Johnston’s career since he placed third on Australian Idol in 2009. So, I’m glad he’s been doing so well since the 2021 release of his debut country single, Raised Like That, which was certified gold in Australia by mid-2022, making him became first independent country artist to achieve the milestone in 21 years.

He subsequently had success with his following singles – Small Town, Anything Like Me, Country Boys, Same Songs with Kaylee Bell, Got It Good, We Grew Up On and Some Things Never Change (featuring Zac & George), all off his 2023 debut album, Raised Like That.

Seeing Johnston perform live was worth the fifteen year wait. The little girl in me who cried when he got eliminated (on my birthday, mind you) was smiling throughout. Humble, entertaining and self-assured is how I’d describe Johnston. A nice surprise was him bringing up Zac & George to sing Some Things Never Change. Armed only with an acoustic guitar, he also debuted new music.

Andrew Swift was next. I’m lucky enough to have seen him perform live a number of times. I always go for the music and stay for the jokes – this time about “rooting” and the clap, both vulgar yet innocent, hence is the charm of Swift. He too is one of the most down-to-earth, friendly, charming, lovable and humble people you could ever meet.

In 2019, Swift was awarded the Golden Guitars for ‘Best New Talent’ and ‘Alt. Country Album of the Year’ for Call Out For The Cavalry, his ARIA #1 debut. His following albums – The Art Of Letting Go (2021) and Lightning Strikes and Neon Nights (2023) – also reached #1. In 2023, Swift took home the prestigious Golden Guitar for ‘Male Artist of the Year’.

From toe-tappers like Head Full Of Honey and Runaway Trains, to moodier songs like Blood Moon High to The Devin & His Sin, and heartfelt tracks like The Question with Kevin Bennett and King Of The Sky, the former pop-punk guitarist is one of the best Australian male country artists you can see live in my personal opinion. He just wrapped South Australian dates with Sara Storer and is currently on the Fumes and Fireworks tour with Golden Guitar winner, Amber Lawrence.

Max Jackson began her set at 2.55pm. She was joined on stage by her husband Jeremy Minett, guitarist, former member of The Viper Creek Band, and genius behind Eyes & Ears Creative, which offers music videos, promotional videos, social media content and more.

Jackson has been dubbed as ‘one to watch’ with her 2024 Golden Guitar win for ‘New Talent Of The Year’, following her 2020 debut album release Life Of The Party as well as her 2022 Toyota Star Maker win. Additionally, her single, Little More Country spent two weeks at #1 on country radio across Australia and was played in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Sweden.

A highlight on her Instagram page, Jackson takes non-country songs and turns them country, which, she said, “took off quicker than [I] could actually keep up with… and has been seen by millions of people all over the world.” She played a little medley which included Queen’s Another One Bites The Dust and ABBA’s Dancing Queen as well as a number of her own bangers.

The Wolfe Brothers next brought the party. The Tasmanian duo brought up Jackson and Moss for their collaborative single Something Good’s Gonna Happen (originally sung with Amy Sheppard), played a brand-new song and closed their set with a pumping hard rock number. The true definition of a tough act to follow. It was high energy and awe-inspiring.

Since placing second on Australia’s Got Talent in 2012, it’s been an incredible ride for The Wolfe Brothers. They have had 3 #1 and 2 #2 ARIA Country Albums, 18 #1 singles on the National Radio Chart, and have won 9 Golden Guitar Awards. Additionally, their past four albums have all been nominated for ‘Best Country Album’ at the ARIA Music Awards.

I don’t like to play favourites because a hard rock set will always be different to one of ballads, but this was it for me. Their many years of playing in pubs and clubs across Tasmania to venues worldwide (most notably one of their first gigs was opening for Lee Kernaghan to 20,000 punters) has certainly made The Wolfe Brothers one of the most dynamic country music bands.

Melanie Dyer has been songwriting and performing since the age of 12, so, with almost 20 years’ experience under her belt, she held her own after following The Wolfe Brothers’ explosive set. As well as wowing the crowd with a confident set, the award-winning artist was joined by Jackson for her catchy duet Dumb Decisions, originally sung with Caitlyn Shadbolt (from Dyer’s 2022 album Between You & Me, and Shadbolt’s 2023 release Bloom & Surrender).

Her career highlights include singing a duet with rising US country star Troy Cartwright, Golden Guitar nominations and the APRA Professional Development Award. Her single, Memphis T-shirt, as well as crossing over into the mainstream, spent six weeks at #1 on the Australian Country Chart and earned her an APRA nomination for ‘Most Performed Country Work’. Dyer plans on relocating to Nashville for the next stage in her career already packed with milestones.

Dyer will kick off her 2024 ‘Had To Be There’ national tour at the Gympie Music Muster in August, playing shows in Queensland, NSW and Victoria until October 26.

Lane Pittman followed Travis Collins (who I spoke about on Day 1). It was only two years ago when Pittman blind auditioned with Luke Combs’ Even Though I’m Leaving on The Voice Australia. Coaches Keith Urban, Jess Mauboy, Rita Ora and Guy Sebastian all turned their red chairs, with Pittman ultimately choosing to join Urban’s team. Even though he was eliminated during the semi-finals, the then 16-year-old left quite the impression.

The past two years have seen Pittman open for Luke Combs on his 2023 Australian tour alongside Cody Johnson, play the main stage at CMC Rocks, receive a Golden Guitar nomination for ‘New Talent of the Year’ and release his debut self-titled EP. According to his Spotify wrapped, Pittman’s music was listened to by over 200,000 people in 2023. The rising star recently wrapped up his ‘Let’s Get Lost’ tour with guest Wade Forster. He will support US singer-songwriter, Riley Green in Brisbane this coming October.

Abbie Ferris ended the showcase after Casey Barnes (who I also spoke about on Day 2) played his set. Growing up in a small South Australian town (population of just 600 people), Ferris began her career performing in school concerts, open mic nights and pubs before taking on some of Australia’s biggest festival stages. She released her debut EP, Ready Or Not, in 2018 featuring a duet with gritty Canadian band, The Dungarees, and follow up, The Five: My Teens in 2019.

As well as her set at Chiefs for Country Goes Global, Ferris slayed her showcase, ending the amazing (and long, long) day on a high. The highlight was a performance of her latest single, Shut Up and Kiss Me (co-written in Nashville with Troy Kemp of McAlister Kemp fame), supported by her full band, including fellow artist and recent ex-pat, Imogen Clark.

On June 13, Ferris also played the Undiscovered Nashville ‘on the verge’ showcase at the Green Light Bar (833 9th Ave S) alongside fellow Australian artists Chelsea Berman, Kiara Taylor, Jake Davey, Bryce Sainty, Chloe Styler and Jesse Dozzi from sister trio, Dozzi.

I had also wanted to see Wesley Dean performing at the Country Goes Global showcase at 1.30pm at Chiefs, but I knew I wouldn’t easily make it there and back again without missing Johnston’s set. But watching clips on Instagram, it looks like I missed something clearly special.

Dean – who won the sixth season of Australian Idol as Wes Carr – had success with his debut single, You, and follow up, Feels Like Woah, which were certified gold. He featured in Catherine Britt’s ‘Vocal Collaboration of the Year’ Golden Guitar-winning single, F U Cancer along with Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole, Lyn Bowtell, Josh Pyke and Wendy Matthews.

Dean relocated to Nashville in early 2021 to further delve into the country/Americana roots and rock scene. Since arriving in the US, he has also supported Jimmy Messina on his North East American tour, Travis Tritt at Ralston Arena in Omaha, headlined sold out shows at the Bluebird Cafe, Basement, Electric Jane and The Rockwood Music Hall, and performed at the prestigious Nashville Ballet Ball in collaboration with the Nashville Ballet.

Music From Crazy Hearts, his 8th album, was released this year and follows 2022’s Live Acoustic In Nashville and 2018’s Australiana, which covers songs performed by Australian artists.

I was next off to Nissan Stadium where Terri Clark, The War And Treaty, Old Dominion, Lainey Wilson, Brittney Spencer, Keith Urban and Jelly Roll were to perform.

I decided to uber over there and was picked up by the nicest Texan in the largest pick-up truck (or ute to us Aussies) I’d ever seen. I know nothing about cars but I had to literally step up into this thing. Honestly – one of the coolest experiences I had in Nashville – sad, but definitely true.

Old Dominion was clearly a crowd favourite with everyone quickly up on their feet. Wilson and Urban were also equally loved. It’s difficult not to be proud watching Urban perform. Even though he was born in New Zealand, Australia have claimed him as our own (he moved to Queensland when he was two years old).

With a career spanning over thirty years, Urban has taken home 8 ARIA Music Awards (including the Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to Australian country music), 15 ACM Awards, 4 Grammy Awards and 13 CMA Awards, among others, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in 2020 for “distinguished service to the performing arts as a singer and songwriter, and to charitable organisations”. Across his twelve studio albums, he has had a whopping 37 singles, including 18 that made it to #1.

Although Urban, who now resides in Nashville, is one of the most recognisable and loved superstars in country music, he was the only artist I saw go into the audience – a true display that he retains his down-to-earth and laid back Australian persona. Another highlight was when he was joined on stage by Wilson for their upbeat duet, Go Home W U.

However, the artist who surprised me the most was Jelly Roll. I had bought tickets originally to see Urban but was open to all seven artists as I hadn’t seen any perform live before. Notably, Jelly Roll was also joined on stage by both Wilson for Save Me and Urban for Halfway to Heaven.

I was aware of Jelly Roll, mainly for his #1 single Son of a Sinner and criminal background but knew little else. What impressed me was his honesty. He spoke openly about being incarcerated, how his battles made him stronger and what inspired his music career. He addressed youths in the nearby Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center (where he spent time) and reminded them that anything is possible and how they too could follow their dreams.

Before the anthemic I Am Not OK, he also spoke about his own mental health battles, how everyone needs help sometimes and to check up on your friends and family. I rarely cry, but this had me breaking down in tears, as he also was. It was a personal highlight I won’t soon forget.

I left the stadium feeling inspired and truly grateful to the people who helped get me to CMA Fest so I could experience that emotional moment with 75,000 others.

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This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. The Writer was assisted to travel through the Creative Australia Music Writers Lab pilot bursary program 2023.