#222 - Gold Coast Country

What's the difference between Country music in the USA, and the rest of the World? We get the opportunity to dig into to that idea with Australian songwriter and recording artist Lily Grace, who shares with us what its like to be on the other side of the ocean, and what it takes to break into the home of Country music, Nashville, Tennessee. Naturally gifted, Lily Grace began singing at 10 years of age. She dived deeper into music a mere four years ago, when she was gifted her first guitar at the age of 11. Her determination to self-fund her own equipment saw her busking at local markets, and soon after, attracting her to local cafes, restaurants, events and festivals. With several years' stage experience already behind her, Lily Grace delivers her own storytelling originals alongside a vast collection of popular, crowd-pleasing favorites from contemporary, classics, and country. The emotions of love, determination, kindness, gratitude and pure joy pour forth in every one of her performances. Lily Grace is a sought-after talent, having recently opened for Amber Lawrence and Catherine Britt's 'Love and Lies Tour' across Queensland, joining Tania Kernaghan in concert, touring with James Blundell, being announced in the line-up of emerging artists for the Gympie Muster and performing at the Groundwater Country Music Festival this year.  An exciting collaboration has been in the making for Lily Grace this year, with the legendary country music artist, James Blundell. The two penned a song together earlier this year, co-headlined a concert on the Gold Coast and recently completed the 'Annie June' tour, where they took their co-written song to stages across Queensland, following on from its successful release in May. The excitement around the track helped it reach the Top 10 on the 'Australian Country Radio' chart, #17 on the 'Hottest Australian Country Hits' chart, #9 on 'Country Radio Charts', #31 on the 'Countrytown Hot 50 Music Chart'. A live video stream on country radio program, KIX Live, and with the official music video being played in high rotation on Foxtel's & Fetch CMT TV channel reaching #3 in 'Today's Top 15', also featuring in 'Official Top 30', 'Fresh Country', and 'Aussie Country'  programs.  Off the back of a successful debut duo release, Lily released her debut solo single in August. 'Sixteen Wishes' is an uplifting and summery track, which rocketed to #3 on the Australian Country iTunes Chart and #27 on the Australian All Genres iTunes Chart.  Within a week of it's release, it was the #1 streamed and downloaded song for Australian radio airplay. 'Sixteen Wishes' continues to climb the Official Top 30 on CMT television, currently placed at #21. The future certainly looks bright for this young artist shortly venturing to the Tamworth Country Music Festival with a plethora of gigs lined-up and semi-finalist nominations in 9 categories of the Tamworth Songwriting Association awards.  The Business Side of Music ™ © 2022 Lotta Dogs Productions LLC Showrunner and Executive Producer Emeritus: Tom Sabella Producer and Host (the guy who has a face for podcasting): Bob Bender Co-Producer - Audio/Video Editor (the man behind the curtain): Mark Sabella Director of Video and Continuity (the brains of the entire operation): Deborah Halle Marketing and Social Media (all knowing): Sarah Fleshner for 362 Entertainment All Around Problem Solver (and Mental Health Therapist for us): Connie Ribas Recorded inside an old beat up Airstream Trailer located somewhere on what's left of Music Row in Nashville TN (except during pandemics, then it's pretty much been accomplished VIA Zoom or over the phone, with the exception for those fearless enough to come to Bob Bender's dining room… and there have been a few that have survived). Mixed and Mastered at Music Dog Studios in Nashville, TN Editing and Post at Midnight Express Studio located in Olian, NY Production Sound Design: Keith Stark Voice Over and Promo: Lisa Fuson Special Thanks to the creator and founder of the podcast, Tom Sabella, along with Traci Snow for producing and hosting over 100 episodes of the original "Business Side of Music" podcast and trusting us to carry on their legacy. Website: If you would like to be a guest on the show, please submit a request to: [email protected] If you're interested in becoming a sponsor for the show, let us know and we'll send you a media / sponsorship kit to you. Contact us at [email protected] #lilygrace #jamesblundell #taniakernaghan