Max Jackson: A Country Heart Can, Golden Guitar Awards & CMA Fest 2025

On this episode of Heart of the Gulch, host Tony Mendoza sits down with Australian country artist Max Jackson during CMA Fest 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.

One of Australia's fastest-rising country music stars, Max Jackson has quickly earned international recognition through powerful songwriting, energetic live performances, and an authentic country sound rooted in her upbringing in Coonamble, New South Wales. Following multiple Golden Guitar Award wins and the release of new music, Max made her CMA Fest debut, introducing Nashville audiences to one of Australia's brightest new voices.

In this interview, Max reflects on performing at CMA Fest for the very first time and what it meant to step onto a stage just steps away from Nashville's iconic Bridgestone Arena. She shares how growing up in rural Australia continues to influence her songwriting and why staying connected to her country roots remains central to her music.

Tony and Max also discuss her latest single A Country Heart Can and the success of her Little More Country Sessions EP. She opens up about writing songs that celebrate resilience, country living, and authentic storytelling while continuing to build an audience that spans both Australia and the United States.

The conversation also explores winning two prestigious Golden Guitar Awards, including Female Artist of the Year and Single of the Year, and what those career-defining moments have meant as she continues expanding internationally. Max discusses her journey from Coonamble to Nashville, connecting with American audiences, and the exciting opportunities ahead as her career continues to grow.

With new music, international touring, and one of the strongest years of her career, Max Jackson is proving that great country music knows no borders.

If you love country music, Australian country artists, female country singers, Nashville songwriter interviews, CMA Fest, Golden Guitar Awards, international country music, and authentic artist conversations, this interview is one you won't want to miss.

About Tony Mendoza

Tony Mendoza is a Nashville-based media personality, television host, executive producer, journalist, podcast host, and digital strategist best known as the creator and host of Heart of the Gulch. Through hundreds of long-form interviews with country music artists, entertainers, songwriters, and industry leaders, Tony has become recognized for showcasing both country music's biggest stars and emerging artists from around the world.

His work covers major events including CMA Fest, Country Radio Seminar (CRS), AmericanaFest, and exclusive Nashville studio sessions. As founder of Heart of the Gulch, Tony oversees every aspect of production—from interviewing and creative direction to video production, editing, SEO strategy, and digital publishing—helping build one of Nashville's fastest-growing independent country music media platforms.

Committed to documenting the global growth of country music, Tony regularly features international artists, independent musicians, Latino voices in country music, female artists, and the diverse talent helping shape the future of Nashville.

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