100% Home-grown
Welcome to Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown, a page dedicated to giving a voice to the rich diversity of contemporary Australian musicians and songwriters.
Local song makers help tell our stories, contribute to our culture and give voice to our communities. That’s why we’re kicking off our new 100% Home-grown feature artist of the month series.
Each month Highland FM will feature a local artist selected from the MusicNSW playlist for our region, including live interviews, performances new releases and more.
Our 100% Home-grown Artist of The Month for October is Southern Highlands based singer-songwriter Ross Webb. Throughout the month Highland FM 107.1 will exclusively premier tracks from Webb’s 30 October debut album release On The Deck, as well as featuring his rockin’ new single Backyard Party.
Lea Steed will introduce the feature Artist Of The Month on Highland FM’s award winning 100% Home-grown program on Saturday 9 October (5-7pm), interviewing Ross and playing a selection of his recent singles.
If you like what you hear, you can discover more about our feature artist on this page, find out how they got into music, what makes them tick, watch clips and listen to their latest releases on demand.
To hear more local artists, go to MusicNSW Spotify playlist for our region, or check out Southern Tablelands Arts Music page.
Read more about Highland FM’s featured Artist of the Month in Southern Highland News.
Artist of the Month
Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown feature artist is Ross Webb.
Ross Webb (Rusted Track), is a country singer from the Southern Highlands of NSW, Australia. Ross began performing just over 7 years ago and what a ride it has been since then. Being an avid Country Music fan and influenced by Artists such as Zac Brown, Chris Stapleton and Alan Jackson, he began performing with his wife Sharon and good friend Owen. Now with a full band at his disposal he has been performing and fine tuning his show around the highlands, and Southern NSW, along with juggling his day job .
Now with six singles released, Ross continues to develop and hone his song writing skills. His first album On the Deck is due to be released 30 October 2021.
The newest single Backyard Party was released to radio and digital platforms early September and has been added to radio playlists. This single is the third single from the On the Deck album. Previous singles Cowgirl Angel (No 6 UK Hotdsic Chart in June 2021) and Two Old Mates (no 37 Australian Country Radio Charts on 19 July 2021) have had chart success.
“Passionate, hard working, great voice and puts on a top show”
Robertson Hotel
Ross’s Achievements and Milestones
Prior to the On the Deck EP/Album Ross has had success with the following single releases:
· You & Me reached No 1 on the Country UK/Europe Hotdisc Top 40 on 5 Nov 2018 and was No 10 on the Annual UK/Europe Hotdisc Top 30 for 2018
· Hello Some Day peaked at No 8 on the Country UK/Europe Hotdisc Top 40 in April 2019
· He has recently performed at the Tamworth CMF 2019 & 2020 (Emerging Artist Stage) and in the Al Tomkins Guitar Showcase in Nov 2018
· Supported well known acts such as Shannon Noll and 1927
His journey into the music landscape has only just begun and we all look forward to where the ride takes him and his music.
“Raw, edgy and honest”
Highland FM 107.1
Music Releases
Ross Webb – ON THE DECK exclusive album premiere
Track 1-Lonely Heart Lonely Home
Written by Ross Webb and John Johnson (Covington, Georgia USA)
Evolves around the thoughts of a singer who has spent a large chunk of his life on the road, playing gigs and touring the country. Meets love of his life and wants to settle down and spend less time away from home, however the road keeps calling him back, something his partner can’t deal with.
Track-2 Two Old Mates
Written by Christine Eccleston, Ross Webb & Ben Malone
Tells the story of two aging muso and how they come to life when they are playing shows. Washing away any of the world’s worries
Track-3 Cowgirl Angel- radio edit
Written By Christine Eccleston, Ross Webb & Ben Malone
The tragic story of Dolly Everett from the Northern Territory and how social media trolls placed so much pressure on her that she took her own life. The songs tells the story of how the family and friends deal with the loss and that she should fly high.
Track-4 Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
Cover of the Angels classic 70s hit. Changed up the melody and tempo to produce a ballad and if you listen to the words can see why that is the case.
Track-5 Old Bill
Written by Ross Webb & Ben Malone
Is the story of Ross’s grandfather (Bill) who lived in small town of Tarcutta in NSW. Bill contracted polio when he was a child and this is a tribute to the life he built whilst suffering from this debilitating disease.
Track-6 Clock at Seven
Written by Ross Webb & Ben Malone
Story of Ross’s great mate Tony Mitchell, who was a Vietnam Vet and the struggles he encountered after returning from the war. The line Clock at Seven comes from the fact that each Friday Tony would spend the afternoon at the pub with mates but had to be at the clock opposite the pub at seven to be picked up by his wife. On the dot.
Track-7 Backyard Party
Written by Ross Webb & Ben Malone
Literally written in half an hour one Saturday afternoon whilst sitting on my back deck having a few drinks with the family and mucking around with my two cattle dogs. Very simple but fun story and song.
Track-8 Cowgirl Angel
Extended version of Cowgirl Angel that has different instrumentals and finish to the original song.
LISTEN TO ROSS WEBB ON 100% HOME-GROWN
Hear how Ross’s musical journey was inspired by his mates, from the friend who first invited him on stage and the Southern Highlands locals who form his band.
Ross Webb talks to Lea Steed about the stories that inspired his song writing and new single Old Bill, a song about Ross’s grandfather. There’s also a touching tribute to Dolly Everett in his new release, Cowgirl Angel and the moment in time that sparked his hit single Backyard Party.
Click on the tab below to hear the full interview, including details of Ross’s soon to be released album On The Deck, as recorded on Highland FM’s 100% Home-grown program, Saturday 9 October, 2021.
Listen to Michael Simic on 100% Home-grown 9 October, 2021
Michael Simic, Regional Music Officer, MusicNSW chats with Lea Steed about Highland FM’s Artist of the Month for October Ross Webb, sharing information about Ross’s soon to be released album On The Deck and the resumption of live gigs in regional NSW. Click on the tab below to hear the full interview.
Listen to Michael Simic on 100% Home-grown launching the Artist of the Month initiative
As featured on 100% Home-grown, Michael Simic, Regional Music Officer, MusicNSW chats with Adam Stokeld about Highland FM’s Artist of the Month Initiative. Click on the tab below to hear the full interview.
MusicNSW, Southern Tablelands Arts and Southern Highland News are working with Highland FM to give a voice to our local musicians and songwriters.
You can catch all the latest releases, interviews and new Australian music from the Amrap and Airit catalogues every Thursday and Saturday on Highland FM’s award winning program, 100% Home-grown. The program is dedicated to bringing awareness to emerging Australian Artists.
