Country musiciam Jean Stafford has recently released her new single “Wild Hearts,” a song addressing cyberbullying, domestic violence and mental health. While she has travelled the world and lived in different cities, the 73-year-old artist has now returned to her roots in Burnie, Tasmania, where she is surrounded by family and finds a sense of home.

Our arts writer Paula Xiberras spoke with Stafford.

On 8 June 2025 Australia’s Queen of Country music, Jean Stafford, presented her new single ‘Wild Hearts’.

Stafford has been a recording artist and musician for 50 years. In that time, she has accumulated Golden Guitar Awards, three Aria Award nominations and the key to Nashville city. Closer to home Stafford also has been awarded the medal of the order of Australia (OAM) for her contribution to the performing arts.

Many may remember Stafford from her regular appearances, over forty-eight in total, (which was a record for a female recording artist) on The Midday Show.

Yet, Stafford humbly sees herself, just like any other person who sings songs and has gained the strength to talk about social issues though her music. ‘Wild Hearts’ her new single is that sort of music.

The single was produced by Matt Fell and can be described as alternative country with topical themes such as cyberbullying, domestic violence and mental health, all rising from adversity.

The name Stafford is formed from old English words for ‘landing place’ and ‘river crossing’. Stafford has made the crossing from Australia to the US throughout her career but on this occasion, I speak to her from Burnie where she is catching up with family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

With her travelling lifestyle, she is glad to be back in Tasmania and tells me “Tasmanians are wonderful people.”

Stafford has kept a very positive view of life in Tasmania, but her early days were not easy. She grew up having to be strong and not just emotionally but physically as well. Stafford says that she would, even as a youngster be “chopping the wood” and then she grew up, got married, had children and was still working hard.

Life in Sydney was hard, and “You had to be tough to survive,” she said.

Stafford’s mum also had a difficult life, starting from soon after birth, when a ‘whack’ on her toes led doctors predicting she would never walk. Stafford explains her mum “as a nine-year-old was getting about on crutches,” and she would make her way with her brothers to school only to be bullied by the other children.

Her mum’s experience along with her own has led to Stafford’s resilience, “living the kind of life that naturally gravitated to the songs of country music,” she said.

“I was introduced to the social piano at home and learned guitar from a cousin, and due to my resilience I was well placed to address in my music with one of the most sinister situations of modern life, cyber bullying,” said Stafford.

Stafford is passionate about the end to all kinds of bullying and explains that a child should be able to be safe at home “without having bullying follow”. She is of the view that children should access social media in the kitchen where they can be monitored.

The reality of cyber bullying became more real to her when she took a phone call from a young man dealing with bullying, who told her it was her song ‘Wild Hearts’ that left him with tears streaming down his face.

Stafford knew that the connection was an example of our music, such as country music, connects people and how the arts can heal.

“I want the possibility of a happier future and feeling blessed for all, including my grand and great grandchildren,” she said. “Three of whom are into music, one plays the fiddle, another guitar and granddaughter for Shelby is a professional theatre dancer in Sydney with ambitions Broadway.”

I suggest to Stafford that maybe Shelby will one day dance Stafford’s story on Broadway, and she smiles. Stafford says the next thing we might expect from her is a biography with Sid Sidebottom.

“Although, it will be raw, and I won’t be using any names,” she said.

‘Wild hearts’ is out now on Stafford’s independent label.

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