Kristy Cox, Savanah Solomon, Jack Botts: Highlights From This Week’s ‘Grass Roots’

Every week, ABC Country's Grass Roots program shines a light on the best independently released Australian country content. Selected from the hundreds of new tracks submitted, the one-hour program is now available on demand as well as premiering each Monday at 9 pm on ABC Country, showing the health of Aussie country music across all its sub-genres. Here are three of this week's tracks you should have on your radar. 

Head here to have a listen to this week’s full episode of Grass Roots.

Kristy Cox feat. John Moader - In My Dreams

Australia’s Queen of Bluegrass, Kristy Cox, has teamed up with John Meador for an emotionally charged, stunning song you won’t forget anytime soon.

Opening with Meador’s voice and mellow acoustic instrumentation, In My Dreams reaches its high note when he harmonises with Cox, in which the pair tell a haunting tale of love. In this story, the lovebirds don’t get to see each other until they go to bed and close their eyes at night.

Meador is a former member of the Grammy-nominated group, Authentic Unlimited, and is currently a member of Vince Gill’s touring band. Cox said of working with him, “I’m excited to release this new song and video with my friend John Meador for our song, ‘In My Dreams.’ I had a lot of fun writing and recording this track and love where Steve Kinney took the concept for the video.”

She added, “I really love the back story behind the characters. Is she dead? Is he dead? Are they alive? Are the lost lovers? It’s up to the listener to figure out.” In My Dreams recently hit #4 on the Bluegrass Today weekly chart in the US.

Savanah Solomon - Magnolias

Savanah Solomon is carving her own niche within the Australian country music scene with her authentic storytelling and commanding vocals.

With her new song, Magnolias, the singer—hailing from the Kimberley region of Western Australia—couples traditional country music stylings with modern storytelling. Prior to entering country music as a solo artist, fans might remember her name from fronting the band, Savanah And The Strays.

A song about growth and adversity, Solomon drew inspiration from the 1989 film, Steel Magnolias, and her own grandmother. She explained:

“I see her as the epitome of a ‘Steel Magnolia’ — tough as steel, with beauty and grace. ‘Magnolias’ is about forging your own path forward as a woman while also honouring the strength and resilience of the women that have come before us.”

Jack Botts - Home Days 

Australian singer-songwriter Jack Botts knows how to make listeners feel at home. Not just because his latest single is called Home Days but also because of the peaceful atmosphere he conjures with his voice and guitar playing.

An example of why Botts has amassed a dedicated global audience, Home Days is a breezy, laid-back tune that fits perfectly in his catalogue of personal, surf-inspired country and rock music.

Botts said of the heartfelt tune: “I’ve spent most of my 20s constantly on the move, travelling and touring all over the place—and I’ve loved every minute of it! But early in 2024, I had a rare window of time back in Australia. It had been a while since I just stopped, sat down, and fully embraced home.

“I didn’t realise how much I’d missed the little things—surf checks, the sound of native birds, quiet mornings at local cafés, time in the water, the sun, the silence, and of course, moments with friends and family. It felt so nice. Right then and there, I knew these days are the best. Home days.”

You can listen to the latest full episode of ABC Country’s Grass Roots here.