Steve Forde signs with ABC Music.

ABC Music are delighted to formally announce their biggest new signing of 2007, that of leading local artist, Steve Forde.

The announcement follows Forde's success with the single, Spirit Of The Bush, with Lee Kernaghan and Adam Brand which topped the ARIA Australian Singles Chart on July 9.

"When Steve started out, everyone in the business shut the door on him, so he went out and created a career on his own. He financed his own albums, wrote his songs and even started building his own stages to perform on - stages which other leading acts now also use," said Robert Patterson, Head of ABC Music.

"He's gone on to become one of Australia's leading live acts and is the most recognised personality on the Country Music Channel. He's also helped establish a number of festivals and has been acknowledged for introducing a younger demographic of fans to country music. Most importantly though, the new music on this new self-titled release is of the highest quality and we look forward to working with Steve as he takes the next step in his recording career," said Patterson.

Forde teamed up with leading US producer Richard Landis for this latest album project. Landis' track record is very impressive having produced high selling albums with the likes of superstars Vince Gill, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Eddie Rabbit and Ronnie Milsap - just to name a few.

ABC Music's distributor Warner Music Australia is also very excited about the upcoming project. "Steve Forde is a unique artist, one we believe has a huge future in this business. He has built a fan-base and touring business rarely seen in any genre of music in this country. Warner Music is committed to working with our partners at ABC Music to launch Steve in a major way this September," said Ed St John, President & CEO Warner Music Australia.

Originally from, and still based in, Grenfell in the central west of New South Wales, Steve Forde is a farmer, a musician, a songwriter, an entrepreneur, a husband and recently, father. He's truly a great Australian.

"I'm really looking forward to working with ABC and Warner Music. They're a very professional team of people and I'm very excited about what the future holds," said Forde.

The first single from the new album, titled Metropolis, hits radio stations on August 11.

His new self-titled album will be released on September 22 through ABC Music/ Warner Music.