Bella Mackenzie brings country attitude to new single ‘Truck Around’ with Billy Dylan

Far North Queensland country artist Bella Mackenzie is turning up the attitude on her new single ‘Truck Around’, teaming up with Nashville-based Australian artist Billy Dylan for a playful take on country boys who are all hat and no cattle.

There's a difference between looking country and living it, and Bella Mackenzie isn't afraid to point it out.

Fresh from performances at the Deni Ute Muster and Savannah in the Round, the rising Australian country artist has released ‘Truck Around’, a cheeky, high-energy collaboration with Billy Dylan that takes aim at a certain kind of self-proclaimed country heartthrob.

With her distinctive raspy vocals and plenty of confidence, Mackenzie delivers a playful warning to the bloke who thinks a pair of boots, a truck and a little swagger are all it takes to impress a country girl.

‘“Truck Around” is about a guy who thinks he's the ultimate country heartthrob, but he's never met an actual country girl like her’, Mackenzie explains. ‘The song pokes fun at the kind of guy who wears his country identity on the outside. He looks the part and thinks he knows exactly what he's doing, but she's there to remind him that all the boots, trucks and country credentials in the world don't prepare you for a strong girl from the country.’

Recorded in Nashville, the track blends contemporary country with a hip-hop influence, pairing Mackenzie's gritty delivery with a rap verse from Billy Dylan, formerly known as Dylan J.

The Australian-born, Nashville-based artist brings more than 15 million global streams and over 500 live performances to the collaboration, adding another dimension to Mackenzie's increasingly adventurous sound. Taking inspiration from the rhythmic swagger of Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen's ‘Broadway Girls’, ‘Truck Around’ combines a conversational hook with a playful back-and-forth between its two performers.

Mackenzie co-wrote the single with Billy Dylan and Australian producer-songwriter Jacky McCormack, a familiar collaborator who has worked on several of her previous releases, including ‘Neon Never Lies’, ‘Second Hand Dust’, ‘Blacksmith’, ‘Girl’ and ‘There Must Be a Fire’.

The collaboration follows a particularly strong response to ‘Girl’, which achieved Mackenzie's highest streaming total for a release during its first 28 days. Accompanying ‘Truck Around’ is an official lyric video filmed in Julia Creek, the outback Queensland town whose rugged landscape provides a fitting backdrop for the song's country attitude.

Directed and edited by Hannah Cameron, the video brings the release back to Mackenzie's Queensland roots, even as her songwriting career continues to develop in Nashville.

Born and raised in Far North Queensland, Mackenzie grew up surrounded by live music. Her family's ownership of a local pub gave her the opportunity to perform for hometown audiences from an early age, helping establish the stage confidence that has since become a hallmark of her shows.

That regional upbringing remains central to her musical identity, providing a natural connection to the characters, humour and experiences found throughout her songwriting. Now spending time writing in Nashville, Mackenzie is building on a catalogue that has attracted more than 6.2 million global streams and delivered four Top 10 country radio hits.

She was also nominated for Female Artist of the Year at the 2026 Countrytown Awards, adding to a growing list of career milestones.

On stage, Mackenzie has continued to expand her audience through major festival appearances and touring opportunities.

Earlier this year, she supported Riley Green on his Australian *Cowboy As It Gets* tour and has also performed alongside Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jake Banfield. Her festival appearances have included CMC Rocks, Ridin' Hearts, Julia Creek Dirt N Dust, the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Deni Ute Muster and Savannah in the Round.

With ‘Truck Around’ now out in the world, Mackenzie is preparing for another busy festival season, including a return to Tamworth in January and appearances at Meatstock in March 2027. The new single captures a lighter, mischievous side of her songwriting, while staying true to the country upbringing that continues to shape her music.

And for anyone who thinks owning a truck automatically makes them a country boy, Bella Mackenzie might have a few things to say about that.

Bella Mackenzie – upcoming live dates

17 January 2027 – Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth, NSW
5–6 March 2027 – Meatstock, Lardner Park, Gippsland, VIC
-12–13 March 2027 – Meatstock, Toowoomba Showgrounds, QLD

‘Truck Around’ featuring Billy Dylan is available now on streaming platforms.