Ruby Shay, Woody Pitney & Jemma Beech: The 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 9pm on ABC Country, showing the health of Aussie country music across all its sub-genres. Here are four 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.

Ruby Shay – Sinner (featuring The Red Horse)

NSW Central Coast artist Ruby Shay has released her debut country single, Sinner, featuring her band The Red Horse. Sinner was written by Shay and originally intended to tell the story of her late mother’s view of herself and her life. Shortly before she passed away, Shay’s mother Patricia said she thought that “no amount of praying will get me into heaven”. Patricia made reference to some “sinful” things she’d done in her 49 years of life, and after sitting on this line for almost eight years, Shay finally completed the song. Over time, Sinner has become a song about the concept that everyone has a dark side, not one single person is perfect, and no way of life is right or wrong.

“It’s about accepting yourself, with all of your faults, and surrounding yourself with people who accept you the same way,” says Shay.

Woody Pitney – Out Of Your Mind

Melbourne-based country-pop artist Woody Pitney has just released his stomping new single Out Of Your Mind, co-produced and mixed by Austin Moorhead (Maddie & Tae, Carly Pearce, Michael Ray), Eddy Barbour and Pitney himself. Taking cues from the likes of Morgan Evans, Walker Hayes and Keith Urban, Out Of Your Mind is an infectious, feelgood country-fusion offering, shining a light on Pitney’s ability to hone and craft songs within the country genre while simultaneously ensuring accessibility for the wider masses.

Jemma Beech – If I Can't Wear Boots

The Hunter Valley's Jemma Beech is back with her brand new single If I Can’t Wear Boots. Beech is a breath of fresh country air. Her vocals are raw, honest and authentic, and she has a knack for storytelling through song with an energetic and down to earth personality. Her new single is an unapologetic girl-power anthem that leans into a well-balanced sound harnessing country and rock elements. Co-written with 2022 Star Maker Max Jackson, and produced by Jake Davey, the song will have you throwing on your best pair of cowboy boots and turning it up!

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