Country Bites News snippets March 19 – March 23, 2012
Links / Sources in RED
UK NEWS
UK NEWS
After a long and very successful career Clive & Sandra Country Company are to retire from the Country Music scene.
There final performance will be at our Daffodil Breaks Weekend in Didsbury Manchester on the 1st - 3rd February 2013.
Although 10 months away it provides advance notice to all their fans & friends that 2012 will be their last Full year of touring and an opportunity to catch them live before they hand up their guitars and retire completely. (See Gig Guide)
By the time 2013 comes around they will have both been in the business for over 40 years. For nearly 35 years Clive and Sandra who hail from Crossgates, near Llandrindod Well, in the heart of mid-Wales have been a popular act on the British Country Music scene. They have received over 70 awards and were voted British Country Music's "Most Popular British Duo" three times since 1994. In 1979 they formed Country Company as a trio and spent the next ten years working all over the country as a semi- professional act and with increasing workloads became fully-professional in 1989. > YouTube
Check out this intimate interview with Billy Dean and Emma King and The Heartsets! They were extremely honoured to be Billy Dean's very first Featured Artist at his birthday party this month (It’s the big 50 on April 2nd) > YouTube
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| The Band Perry BBC Breakfast Screenshot |
(brothers Neil and Reid and big sister Kimberley) described as "the hardest working band in country music" joined Bill Turnbull and Susanna Ried (no relation!) on the BBC Breakfast sofa to talk about their career and self titled album prior to playing a full band show at King’s College London (Tutu's, Macadam Building, Strand campus) on Tuesday 20 March 2012.
(Studio 7 Picture)
“T-minus 1 hr and 30 minutes till our first UK
“London
The Band Perry @ at King’s College London
“All Your Life” (Filmed by www.2country.net) > YouTube
“Under the Bus” inLondon
“All Your Life” (Filmed by www.2country.net) > YouTube
“Under the Bus” in
The Band Perry - Debut New Song “It Burns For You” exclusively Live In London
The Band Perry backstage at The Kings College in London
– Photo and playing Live
– Photo and playing Live
The Band Perry chat to Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2 - BBC Clip
AUSSIE NEWS
This New South Wales SONY MUSIC country artist Troy Cassar-Daley new single “Live and Learn” taken from his album 'Home' – I LOVE IT! > YouTube
NEWS
(Nashville , TN London , UK
"It's Springsteen…there is no entertainer we look up to more than him," said Lady A's Charles Kelley. "I'm going to be like a little kid at Christmas watching his show. It's the biggest honor for us to be invited to play this festival…the entire lineup is awesome!"
High demand overseas of previously announced Own The Night 2012 World Tour dates has also prompted Lady A to make special arrangements to accommodate more fans. The July 13th date in Glasgow , UK has moved to a bigger venue, the Clyde Auditorium, and the group recently added a second night in Dublin , Ireland
Tom Gossin of the country band Gloriana has announced his engaged to longtime girlfriend Jamie Moffett during a hometown show in upstate New York
Gossin popped the question March 1 on the couple's 10-year anniversary. He says in a statement that the timing couldn't have been more perfect since they were with close friends on their anniversary. Gossin says he dropped to one knee with the ring and asked Moffett to marry him, adding that she was "caught totally by surprise" but said yes.
Gloriana also includes Gossin's brother, Mike, and Rachel Reinert. A fourth member, Cheyenne Kimball, abruptly left the group last July. The band's hits include "Wild at Heart" and "How Far Do You Wanna Go."
Gossin popped the question March 1 on the couple's 10-year anniversary. He says in a statement that the timing couldn't have been more perfect since they were with close friends on their anniversary. Gossin says he dropped to one knee with the ring and asked Moffett to marry him, adding that she was "caught totally by surprise" but said yes.
Gloriana also includes Gossin's brother, Mike, and Rachel Reinert. A fourth member, Cheyenne Kimball, abruptly left the group last July. The band's hits include "Wild at Heart" and "How Far Do You Wanna Go."
George Strait current single 'Love's Gonna Make It Alright' off his latest CD HERE FOR A GOOD TIME lands the Number One spot this week on Mediabase Radio Chart. This feat ironically marks his 59th career number one hit for the 59 year old country music superstar - one per year of his life! 'Love's Gonna Make It Alright' written by Al Anderson and Chris Stapleton is one of the few Strait did not write with son Bubba and longtime pal Dean Dillon for this album. 'You know, I’ve always thought that whether I’m writing or not, I’ve gotta pick the best songs, whether or not they’re mine,' says Strait. 'I’m not gonna sing ‘em just because I wrote ‘em. I’ve gotta find the best songs to make the best record I can. I think all of these songs deserve to be on the record.' (Nashville, TN – March 20, 2012)
** NOTE ! - It is placed at #3 on The Billboard Hot Country Song Chart. ***
Taylor Swift holds the top spot with “Ours” and Jake Owen with “Alone With You” is one ahead of George at #2.
His last single "Here For A God Time" peaked at #2 on Billboard when Blake Shelton's wonderful single "God Gave Me You" blocked his path in the 3rd week of October 2011.
Kix Brooks’ first Arista Nashville solo single (post Brooks & Dunn), “New To This Town” (featuring Joe Walsh), officially hit the airwaves this week becoming Billboard’s most added song and Country Aircheck’s second most added song on the country airplay charts with a combined 48 reporting stations playing the song.
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| Kix Brooks Artwork - Amazon |
“The single’s title, ‘New To This Town,’ pretty much says it all,” explains Kix. “I’d written the song with some old friends and wanted to put it down while it was fresh in my mind. It was as if it were meant to be. Then it was mentioned, ‘some Joe Walsh sounding slide’ would sound great on the track. What are the chances the man himself would be generous enough to help me out!! What you hear today is a lotta luck....and a little bit of magic. You can't go back, but finding a place to start over is what makes life worth living - I'm really excited!!"
USA Today names “New To This Town” (Featuring Joe Walsh) as their “Pick of the Week” in their current issue . Co-written by Brooks and longtime friends Marv Green and Terry McBride its an impressive debut. It's kind of weird just saying the word 'debut' with Kix, who had a 20-plus year career with Ronnie Dunn, but also had a good amount of solo stuff even before that. As for Joe Walsh, who comes along for the ride here, adding some trademark tasty guitar runs--he has seen his share of duty. He was an ex member of The James Gang which was his band before going solo. He formed the group Barnstorm, although their albums credited Walsh as a solo artist. In December 1975 he joined The Eagles as Bernie Leadon's replacement. Walsh toured with Ringo Starr in 1989 as a member of the "All Starr" band.
So we have two veterans here coming together for this Country debut. > LISTEN
It was released in the UK on Sunday 18 March 2012 - Available on Amazon.uk
Joe Walsh has announced the June 5 release of "ANALOG MAN", his first solo record in 20 years. The 10-track Fantasy/Concord album was produced by Walsh and Jeff Lynne. Nashville-based Tommy Lee James, who penned hits for Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire, co-wrote some of the songs and Walsh's brother-in-law Ringo Starr plays on the record. Walsh married Marjorie Bach (sister of Barbara Bach) in Los Angeles on December 13, 2008, making him related to Ringo (see photo).
The CMA Songwriters Series returns once again to New York City's Joe's Pub on Weds, MAY 9th Phil Vassar, Al Anderson and Craig Wiseman will be performing.
The Academy of Country Music announced March 22, 2012 that Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are scheduled to perform as part of the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
CBS NEWS (23 March, 2012) is reporting that two men allegedly exploited Big Machine star Taylor Swift’s name to promote a bogus concert and steal nearly $225,000 from a California investor. Derrick "Suits" Robinson, 29, and Emmanuel "Kojo" Bentil,47, are charged with grand larceny and forgery for falsely claiming they were affiliated with agents for Swift and planned to put on a concert. The men convinced CEO of Omega Alpha Enterprises Kachik Mouradian to invest $375,000 for a fake concert in Phoenix. Robinson and Bentil are set to appear in court next month. If convicted, the pair face up to 15 years in state prison.
Arizona Daily Star PHOENIX (AP) — A pregnant Jessica Simpson on the cover of Elle magazine was apparently too much for some customers of a Tucson Safeway store, where a worker covered it with cardboard.
The April edition features the photo of the singer/actress/fashion designer with one hand over her breast and another wrapped around her nude belly. The Arizona Daily Star reported the manager of the store received multiple complaints, prompting a worker to cover the image with cardboard.
"The sign was up for a short time and removed," Teena Massingill, director of corporate public affairs for Safeway Inc., told The Associated Press. "This was one store employee's response to some customer complaints. This was by no means a company-wide directive."
Elle Magazine released a statement Friday to the AP: "We've received an overwhelmingly positive response to Jessica Simpson's cover," it said. "She's celebrating her body during this joyous time in her life and we couldn't be happier for her."
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Singer Jennifer Nettles of the country duo Sugarland has been ordered to give a deposition next month in lawsuits filed over August's deadly Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Attorneys for stage builder Mid-America Sound Corp. had wanted Nettles and fellow band member Kristian Bush to begin providing depositions starting Monday, but Marion Superior Court Judge Theodore Sosin on Friday approved a request by the band's attorneys to reject that timetable.
Sugarland's attorneys had proposed holding depositions in May, but the judge ordered them to provide dates and times between April 1 and April 15 in which only Nettles can testify.
Mid-America built the roof and rigging used to hold lights and sound equipment that collapsed Aug. 13 before the scheduled Sugarland concert. Seven people died and dozens were injured.
Kenny Chesney will debut new music on April 1 when he performs the first single off his upcoming album at the ACM Awards.
A few weeks ago Sara Evans got a Jeep from Rascal Flatts after touring with them & just days before that, she gave them watches so when she heard they were bringing a gift over, she’s thinking flowers or something. They came on her bus, handed her a key & she saw the Jeep, Sara said she felt like a dork cause she only gave them watches
PRESS RELEASES
Randy Travis co-hosted TODAY, America’s most-watched morning show, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, teaming up with Hoda Kotb during the fourth hour on NBC. The Grammy-winning singer filled the chair for Kathie Lee Gifford. It’s all part of Randy’s phenomenal silver milestone in the music industry - “Having appeared and performed on the “Today” show many times, I am honored to co-host. I look forward to teaming with Hoda Kotb and the NBC crew during my visit to New York” said Travis.
Josh Turner co-hosted the 4th hour of the ‘Today’ show (Mon March 19) with Hoda & on Tuesday 21st it was Lee Brice’s turn.
Nashville, TN (March 19, 2012) – Texas Todd Fritsch is back in the saddle. His new single, "Calls I Haven't Made," is now impacting Country Radio. After a roping accident on the family cattle ranch left him with a crippling leg injury three years ago. "It was a long road to recovery," says the engaging Texan. "But I had my second surgery this past December and I'm rehabbed and ready to go." "Calls I Haven't Made" is an outstanding song choice; Todd's rich voice resonates throughout this intriguing tale of redemption, and he's supported by top-drawer production and talented players.
** Fans can purchase the new single from UK iTunes (£0.79) or the US iTunes stores. (so much MOORE media)
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| D.J. Ötzi & the Bellamy Brothers: Simply The Best Artwork |
“It's been very exciting working with D.J. Ötzi,” says Howard Bellamy. “He's into every aspect of the process from choosing the songs and recording them to the making of the videos and the doing TV appearances. It's been loads of fun.”
D.J. Ötzi & the Bellamy Brothers: Simply The Best is available in European retail outlets this Friday, March 23. In support of the release, David and Howard are currently en route to Germany for several national television appearances and performances with Ötzi.
Tomorrow night in Berlin, the Bellamys and Ötzi will walk the red carpet and attend the 2012 International ECHO Awards.
David Bellamy notes, “We're just on our way to Germany with quick side trips to the Canary Islands, Austria and Switzerland for an international television tour, so the news of the songs and album charting in the Top 100 on the German charts couldn't come at a better time.”
(March 20, 2012)
On June 5th, Neil Young & Crazy Horse will release a very special album titled AMERICANA, which is the first Neil Young & Crazy Horse in nearly nine years. AMERICANA is collection of classic, American folk songs. In their day, some of these may have been referred to as "protest songs", "murder ballads", or campfire-type songs passed down with universal, relatable tales for everyman.
Tracklisting : Oh Susannah / Clementine / Tom Dula / Gallows Pole / Get A Job / Travel On / High Flyin' Bird / Jesus' Chariot / This Land Is Your Land / Wayfarin' Stranger / God Save The Queen
Brandi Carlile has announced the release of her fourth studio album BEAR CREEK for June 5 via Columbia Records. The new project is her fourth studio album and first since 2009's Giving Up the Ghost. Carlile released her concert album Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony last year
ARTICLES
Glen Campbell is lost. (Little Creek Casino Resort Review Fri 16 March 2012)
Opening number Gentle on My Mind turns into a cruel joke as the singer mumbles and motions angrily at the amps. He tries to lighten the mood but is greeted by unsure titters from the crowd of 1,600: "I'm a country boy — I just don't know what country yet."
In the middle of a cut from his new album, he stops, looks around frantically as his band plays on and murmurs something about "the bass." The Rhinestone Cowboy has been in the music biz for almost 60 years, performing the same songs on thousands of stages like the one here at Little Creek Casino Resort. But on this Friday in March, the stage, for so long his second home, is alien; the hits of his life and ours are jigsaw puzzles.
When Campbell and his daughter are supposed to duet on bluegrass classic Dueling Banjos, Campbell misses his cue. "Dad, aren't you going to introduce me?" He lets out a small laugh, looks down and, in a vaguely apologetic tone, tells her, "I really want to."
Her father has forgotten her name. So Ashley Campbell, trying to smile, introduces herself. …Read More
INTERVIEWS
Gretchen Peters UK Interview (March 18, 2012) at More Than The Music
Interview: Sherrie Austin: The Sydney-born singer and songwriter, now based in Nashville, talks about her return to Oz for CMC Rocks The Hunter.
WATCH
The Sunny Cowgirls new CD 'Live Wires' out now is testament to their reputation as one of Australia’s greatest live country music acts. Featuring all their greatest hits including ‘Summer’, ‘Dancing on the Darling’, ‘Little bit Rusty’, ‘Cuttin’ Up B&S Style’, ‘Acting Stupid’ and ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’, this 20 track live CD captures all the energy and passion synonymous with “The Sunnies” dynamic live shows.
Check out the ‘Good Spot Here’ vid > YouTube
Crystal Gale & Peggie Sue in a tribute to Buck Owens sing a medley : "Together Again", "Tiger By The Tail", "Act Naturally" and “Crying Time” at Butlins The Great British Country & Western Festival Weekend held at Skegness Lincolnshire in England (filmed by www.2country.net) > YouTube
Collin Raye performs "Little Rock" at Butlins in Minehead, Somerset, England (filmed by www.2country.net) > YouTube
Universal/Beladroit’s sibling music duo, The Secret Sisters,performed their self-penned ballad, “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder,” on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno onThurs March 22nd. Sisters Laura and Lydia Rogers wrote the song while on tour in Australia, and after T Bone Burnett, executive producer of The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond, heard it recorded, he immediately knew it was a perfect fit for the soundtrack.
“We were in Australia, and there, Lydia sat down and wrote a ‘Tomorrow Will Be Kinder.’ Even though it came from thinking about a really dark circumstance, it is about looking forward to better days. In that sense, it really ties into the characters’ experience in The Hunger Games,” Laura says.
The song was recorded in a New York City studio with Burnett, who burned balsa wood in the room for atmosphere, as the Sisters harmonized: "It’s true I’ve seen it before / a brighter day is coming my way / yes, tomorrow will be kinder."
Speaking to Rolling Stone Magazine Laura said of Burnett "You feel safe around him," who also executive produced their debut album, The Secret Sisters, released in late 2010. "His presence is so comforting.
The Secret Sisters “Tomorrow Will Be Kinder” on NBC’s The Tonight Show > YouTube
Listen to The Secret Sisters + other artists on the Soundtrack – The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond on Spotify
Listen to The Secret Sisters + other artists on the Soundtrack – The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond on Spotify
Currently, The Secret Sisters are in the process of writing new material for their sophomore album, recently meeting up with renowned songwriter Dan Wilson who has co-written three songs on Adele’s GRAMMY-winning album, 21. Fans can expect their next release to show more influence of the Everly Brothers and the Delta Blues.(EB Media)
Singer/songwriter Jessica Rae originally from Chicago, currently living in Nashville TN releases her second music video featuring her song "24 Hour Church (in Memphis)". Written by Jessica Rae and Glen Mitchell > YouTube
The latest Video from husband & wife Duo, Mark & Jay O'SHEA. Co-written with Shawn Colvin & Josh Leo and featuring Amber Lawrence, Jasmine Rae, Dianna Corcoran, The Harmonators and Shea Fisher.
YouTube > O’Shea – “When the Girls Get Together”
About O’Shea: Nashville, Tennessee-based, Australian-born country-pop duo O'Shea formed in 2007 after singer/songwriters Mark (Originally from Dalby, Queensland) and Jay O'Shea (Nee Smith, who hails from Adelaide) made their 15-year love affair official and tied the knot. After meeting in a Balmain pub in 1996 and spending 15 years together as a couple, one may well ask what took them so long to finally make the relatively recent decision to become a duo? - “I guess we were always scared there would be two chiefs and no Indians,” laughs Mark. “But after spending a few years playing a regular gig together in Nashville, we realized how much fun we actually have on stage!” Jay adds
Mark, who began his musical career at the age of 16 after winning a talent quest, spent the late '90s and early 2000s atop the Australian country music charts as both a writer and a performer, sharing the stage with the likes of Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, and Switchfoot, while Jay spent her formative years as a backup singer for INXS and Tim Rice, and worked as a staff writer in London, Los Angeles, and Nashville, where she landed a number one European single with “Little Miss H” for Spanish megastar Chenoa.
The pair began singing and playing together live shortly after their nuptials, and released their debut album under the O'Shea moniker, the aptly titled Mr. and Mrs., in 2011.
They finished 5th on Season Two (2009) of CMT's American reality-competition show "Can You Duet" .
LISTEN
Sample Marty Stuart’s new record by listening to “The Lonely Kind.” from forthcoming album "Nashville, Volume 1: Tear The Woodpile Down", available everywhere April 24th 2012. - soundcloud.com
So it’s both exciting and a very welcome surprise to announce the release of the brand new Don Williams album AND SO IT GOES, on Sugar Hill Records on June 19th!!
> Here is a track from the record entitled
"What if It Worked Like That"
Mindy Smith will release her self-titled Album on Giant Leap/TVX Records June 26. This her fifth studio Album is the acclaimed Singer-Songwriter's First Independent Release. . The self-titled effort is her first album of new material since 2009’s Stupid Love and her first as an independent artist.
Of “Closer,” Mindy says, “Many times in life’s journey, we find ourselves disoriented. For me, I make destructive decisions that can distract me from my ultimate goal. I think I am making the right choices and staying close to my agenda but I just run off course. In “Closer,” I see the North Star as the prize. One that I am always getting so close to but unable to grab a hold of and then it eludes me. Personally this song paints a picture of how I see my musical career and that I see NOW is my moment. Taking the time to listen for the answers to my questions. I guess NOW is always our moment even if it is only etching out one little piece of the bigger picture.”
Track List:
1.Closer 2.Take Me Back 3.Pretending The Stars 4.Don’t Mind Me 5.Tin Can
6.Everything Here Will Be Fine 7.Sober 8.Devil’s Inside 9. Cure For Love 10.When You’re Waking On My Grave 11. If I
6.Everything Here Will Be Fine 7.Sober 8.Devil’s Inside 9. Cure For Love 10.When You’re Waking On My Grave 11. If I
Justin Townes Earle album Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now drops on March 27 (Bloodshot) "If you listen to a lot of soul music," says Earle, "especially the Stax Records stuff, the chord progressions are just like country music"...we hear that particular R+B feel throughout Nothing's Gonna Change, a love of streetwise soul that echoes early Jersey-centric, pre-Guthrie Bruce Springsteen and the gospel-flavored fervor of Mike Farris...Quote: "I think that it's the job of the artist to be in transition and constantly learn more. The new record is completely different than my last one, Harlem River Blues”
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