Well-known local country performer Andy Penkow recently teamed up with two Central West reality TV stars to release an upbeat country/rock single in the style of Keith Urban.

Andy, who has a strong regional fan base and last month performed in Dubbo and surrounds, crafted the work with Mudgee-based twosome and former X-Factor finalists, Mak & Shar, for their debut collaboration 'Counting Clouds'.

The song is a blend of the duo’s typical buoyant harmonies with Andy’s rich country-blues sound, aiming to deliver an optimistic anthem for mid-year playlists.

The collaboration was sparked by a mutual friend who, he said, recognised the potential synergy between the trio.

“From the moment we jumped on that first Zoom call, we just clicked,” Mak said. “It felt natural – like we’d been working together for years,” he explained.

Seeking to offer a break from the chaos of the modern world, Mak explained that the song is driven by breezy melodies and heartfelt lyrics as a way of celebrating life’s simple pleasures.

“For me, 'Counting Clouds' was a song we wanted to write for everyone. It’s about letting go of stress and remembering to appreciate the little things – sometimes, we all just need to kick back and count clouds,” Mak revealed.

Shar explained that the trio didn’t want to create a ballad that was overly-dramatic or “heavy”.

“This track is all about embracing life on your own terms and making room for others to do the same,” Shar said. “It’s optimistic, light-hearted, and a reminder to live fully,” he added.

Penkow, better known for soulful songwriting and introspective observations, welcomed the chance to create something more upbeat.

“This was such a fun project,” Andy said.

“Working with Mak & Shar was effortless. They brought incredible energy and creativity to the table, and the whole process was collaborative and inspiring,” he said.