Country Bites News snippets April 22 – April 28, 2013
SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED
UK & IRISH News
Taylor Swift is confirmed to be performing at the Capital FM Summertime Ball 2013! This is a mini-festival held in London, and will be at Wembley Stadium on June 9th! Also appearing Robbie Williams, Will.i.am, Olly Murs, Jessie J, The Wanted, Labrinth, and The Saturdays - www.capitalfm.com - Ticketmaster UK
LeAnn Rimes who proved a winner at the C2C Country Festival March has announced UK tour dates for September 2013!
Saturday 14th Sept (Symphony Hall, Birmingham), Sunday 15th Sept (Glasgow Royal Concert Hall), Mon 16th Sept (The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester) and Wed 18th Sep (Apollo Hammersmith, London) - Ticketmaster UK
LeAnn Rimes is due to appear elsewhere in Europe at the anniversary programme of the 25th Country Night Gstaad from September 20-22, 2013. LeAnn who first performed at the leading Swiss country music festival in 2004 will take to the stage for the second time. Two other highly successful country music artists, Gretchen Wilson and Vince Gill/The Time Jumpers, have also agreed to perform. The fourth highlight in the Bernese Oberland will be the Flynnville Train from Indiana.
Mary Gauthier is currently on a spring swing through Europe that began in Malmo, Sweden on April 17. She is not only representing her own catalog of critically acclaimed songs, but also the Americana music genre. Gauthier will be accompanied by Ben Glover from Belfast, Ireland and Michele Gazich from Italy, performing songs from her recent release Live at Blue Rock and others from her inspired catalog. The singer-songwriter, who sits on the Americana Music Association’s Board of Directors on a 17-city tour has dates in Ireland and the U.K:
Fri. May 3 (Galway, Ireland - Monroe’s Live), Sun. May 5 (Sligo, Ireland - The Hawk’s Well Theatre), Mon. May 6 (Portstewart, UK - Flowerfield Arts Centre), Weds May 8 (Cork, Ireland - The Pavilion), Thurs. May 9 (Dublin Ireland -The Button Factory), Fri. May 10 (Belfast - St. Georges Church) and Sat. May 11 (Ratoath, Ireland - The Venue Theatre)
The Roys, the award-winning Bluegrass duo go full throttle with the debut single "Gypsy Runaway Train" and title track from their June 4 CD, their third outing for Rural Rhythm Records. The tune describes life on the road for a touring musician.
Listen in full and see the lyrics on soundcloud.com
They play a 1 off UK date on Sunday May 5th at Leicester Square Theatre, London. On the album they have used their own band in the studio. It includes some originals penned by Lee and Elaine Roy,and they have chosen some of their favourite cover songs that they have performed throughout their career. The album cover tracks include The Roy's favourites, such as "Blue Moon of Kentucky", and "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight". The sibling duo also wanted to include a gospel song on the album, one that Lee sang throughout his life, "He Took Your Place"."Those Memories" is a song Elaine Roy, who is a big fan of Dolly Parton, fell in love with from the TRIO album (which also featured Emmylou Harris and Linda Rondstadt).
"Born with a Hammer in My Hand" was previously cut by Blue Highway and one of Lee's favorite bluegrass songs, is the Adam Steffey song "What Gives You the Right". The Roy's also pay tribute to Merle Haggard, with their rendition of "Ramblin Fever".
Album pre-order at Amazon UK and Amazon.com - Rural Rhythm.com Press
Nick Dent-Robinson from Maverick Magazine had an interview/article feature in the May/June 2013 with Smoke Feathers and gave their album Liberation a great 4 STAR review ("Absolutely Brilliant" Janice Long BBC Radio 2) - listen to the album at soundcloud.com
Eric Church who visited the UK to play the Forum in London and an appearance on the Jools Holland Show was interviewed by Keith Grentree on BBC Radio Norfolk,
Listen >> Audio Link
Rather ironic but fitting that Billy Yates new single and title cut "Only One George Jones" has been top of the Hotdisc Top 40 the last 3 weeks.
After the death of the 80-year old country great on April 26, 2013 Billy tweeted "My heart is broken..."
Joe Fish on BBC Radio Lancashire spoke to Billy live on the phone on April 28th to discuss his memories of George Jones and how the songs origin.
Listen to the interview >> Audio Link
The song is available on Amazon UK and is currentky streaming on www.billyyates.com
GALWAY's Linda Welby has teamed up with American legend Pat Boone to duet on a song called What's The Reason?, which is self penned. She is working on new material for her next album. Linda can be seen on the Phil Mack Country Show on Sky Channel 191/ Freesat CH400 Showcase TV.
UK CHART NEWS
On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week May 4, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s new UK single “22” dropped 16-22 in its 10th week. Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” (Mercury) which peaked at #2, dropped 39-41 on its 29th chart week.
On the Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week May 4, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s RED was up down 4 places 20-24 in its 27th chart week.
Steve Earle and The Dukes (& Duchesses) dropped 43 places 30-73 with THE LOW HIGHWAY in its second week.
Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER, DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) dropped 24 places 39-63 on her 2nd week at retail.
Overall album sales were down 5.56% week-on-week at 1,269,209 -14.64% below same week 2012 sales of 1,486,846, and their lowest level for 923 weeks. The last time they were lower was in sales week ending 19 August 1995 (chart dated 26 August 1995) when just 1,214,941 albums were sold.
Official UK Country Album Chart (Week May 4, 2013)
Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK moved 2-1 to Top the chart.
Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses) were down 1-2. LeAnn Rimes on her second week with new album SPITFIRE (Curb)
moved 4 places, 7-3. Brad Paisley with WHEELHOUSE, was down a further 4 places 6-10 in his 3rd retail week.
Willie Nelson with LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE (Legacy Records) dropped 9 slots 4-13 on its 2nd chart week.
There were chart debuts at #12 for USA 2012 X Factor winner Tate Stevens with his self titled TATE STEVENS (Syco Music),
Eric Church CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Live (Humphead) was new at #6 and at #14 saw Kim Richey make her bow with THORN IN MY HEART (LOJINX)
On the Hotdisc Chart (April 28, 2013 Chart)
Billy Yates remained atop the Hotdisc Top 40 with his tribute to George Jones. while
The Hayley Oliver Band climbed 3 slots on the Top 40 from No.8 to No.5 with "Right Person At The Right Time" and continue their stranglehold at the top of the British & Irish Hotdisc chart this week.
Sonny Walters and his band come into the HotdiscTop 10 for the first time with “Stone Rollin' Home” while Chris James and the GLG Band debut inside the Top 20 with “Without Doubt” and hold at #7 on the UK & Irish placings.
UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(26 Jan 2001) George Jones - The Definitive Country Collection (Columbia)
(22 April 2013) George Jones - 7 Classic Albums [4 CD Box set, Import] £9
(27 Jun 2003) George Jones - The Definitive Country Collection [CD] (Sony Music) currently £3.77 includes delivery!
(May 14, 2013) Everybody Has a Story - Various Artists [Import] (Label: SPUNK) Amazon UK
Many great Nashville based artists (Alison Krauss, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Phil Vasser, Amy Grant etc ) lend their talents to songs written by patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt through its Music Therapy program. This compilation celebrates the patients' creativity and demonstrates how music can be a vehicle for sharing stories and emotions.
Each song was a result of a clinical music therapy session involving the patient and a music therapist. some lyrics were crafted out of a story idea and some were created by long discussions about the patient's feelings and situation
(15 April 2013) Poco - All Fired Up (Blue Rose) Time: 53:30 12 Tracks
BLUEGRASS NEWS
Trinity River Band is proud to announce the April 30 new album release, TODAY DON’T LOOK LIKE RAIN. The group will The band includes the talents of Sarah Harris (Lead & Harmony Vocals, Mandolin); well-respected songwriter Mike Harris (Guitar, Lead & Harmony Vocals); Lisa Harris (Bass, Harmony Vocals); Josh Harris (Banjo, Dobro, Harmony Vocals); and Brianna Harris (Fiddle, Harmony Vocals).
Since their beginnings in 2008 the full time professional band from Callahan, Florida have steadily been winning fans and devotees with their high-energy performances, impeccable vocal harmonies and inspiring bluegrass, gospel and country music.
Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Carl Jackson serves as Consulting Producer for the new album and said, “Great harmony + great musicianship + great songs = FANTASTIC project!!!
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| Trinity River |
The album includes a variety of music styles including the first single release, “Today It Don’t Look Like Rain,” a beautiful duet “What Did I Ever Do” with Trinity River Band lead vocalist, Sarah Harris and Josh Williams (Rhonda Vincent & The Rage); a high energy bluegrass instrumental tune; a cover of Pure Prairie League’s “Amie” with lead vocals by Mike Harris, and many more.
The beautiful title cut “Today It Don’t Look Like Rain” was, written by Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle.
Watch the Trinity River Band "Daytime" TV Debut at www.cybergrass.com
Listen to "Today It Don’t Look Like Rain" at soundcloud.com
German phrasebook for the touring Bluegrass musician:
Flughafen (Airport), Gepäck (Luggage), Auto (Car), Autobahn (Go ahead and drive really fast, it’s okay), Zimmer (Room),
Frühstück (Breakfast),Kaffee (Coffee), Bier (Beer), Konzert (Concert), iPad (iPad), Flatt und Scruggs (Flatt and Scruggs)
For the more complex phrases and report - bluegrasstoday.com !
AUSSIE NEWS
Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson have separated. Essence Music Management announced that Kasey & Shane have mutually decided to separate. They have been living apart for sometime now, however they remain close friends and have a strong family unit. They ask to respect their privacy with this matter.
NEWS
The Churchgoers: "There are no more genres," says Eric Church, but probably before he heard about Big Kenny's newly created Electro Shine. Anyway, Church's summer concert plans include Lollapalooza, where he'll share the bill with The Cure and Vampire Weekend, but he doesn't see a culture clash. "There's good music and there's bad music," he explains. "You can have all the stereotypes that are placed on whether [music] can be country or rap or rock ... that's all broken down in a festival like Lollapalooza ... it becomes about the music." Last year, Church played at Metallica's Orion Festival and admits,"I was scared to death; we were the only country act. But what I learned that day is music still wins and they bought in”
British Twang: Tea.The Queen. Bangers and mash. Kacey Musgraves. Those are just a few of the things you'd find if you were in England last week. “It's been an absolute delight coming to the UK," Musgraves says of her recent trip overseas to promote SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK.
Just using the phrase "absolute delight" proves the trip made a serious impression on country music's "it" girl. "I'm impressed by the super response from fans who seemed to know more lyrics to sing along to than even the Americans! The British really stand behind artists they believe in and I can't wait to come back!"
Emmylou Harris is sharing her passion for pet adoption and animal-rescue as she hosts her second annual WOOFSTOCK 2013 during the week of CMA Music Festival at the Fontanel Mansion in Nashville, TN. Woofstock is a charity event, where all proceeds benefit dog-rescue organization Bonaparte’s Retreat and community outreach program Crossroads Campus, whose storefront operation Shop & Adopt recently opened in Germantown. On Saturday, June 8th, the public is invited to a festival at the Fontanel Mansion.
Whisperin’ Bill Anderson and Butch Spyridon were seen at the Regal Cinemas in Nashville prior to a sneak peak of the film “For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville” in which Anderson plays a significant role.
Rising country artist Kyle Park earns his second No. 1 on the Texas Music Chart with his smash single, “True Love” and releases the music video to VEVO, the world premium music video and entertainment platform. Written and produced by Kyle, “True Love” is the follow-up single to “The Night Is Young” both featured on Kyle’s fourth studio album BEGGIN’ FOR MORE released via Thirty Tigers.
The Taylor Swift effect: For some South Florida fans, relating to the singer's music isn't enough. They want her career, too. Preferably before they finish high school. “It would be very hard to overstate the effect," said Mike Carroll, president of SouthFloridaCountryMusic.com. "It's pretty rampant out there."
Many will say they feel connected to a pop star who's only a few years older than they are, and who delivers thoughts and feelings that could have been lifted from their own diaries.
At last summer's Texaco Country Showdown in Davie, 18 of the 21 entrants were girls, Carroll said, and at least half were directly influenced by Swift. "They dress like her, and they want to sing like her," he said.
Like Swift, whose parents moved her to Nashville at 14, many of these girls are trying to form careers before they even enter high school. They write their own songs, and keep notebooks full of undeveloped hooks and lyrics. Some have gone to Nashville, looking for connections.
Billy Currington was indicted in an alleged Georgia altercation, on charges of 'Terroristic threats' and abuse of an elderly person. Documents show the indictment stems from an incident on April 15th involving Charles Harvey Farrell. Savannah-Chatham Metro Police say the incident occurred while Currington was on his boat in the waters off Tybee Island. The accuser claims Currington and his party were 'flocking' to his docks located off the island, a Metro Police spokesperson confirmed to WSAV.com . Police say Currington was NOT arrested as a result of the incident. Tybee Island police were also involved in the investigation.
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| Billy Currington Police report (click to ENLARGE) |
Currington Tweeted: "hey guys, I wanted to thank everyone for the huge amount of support that I have received already. Unfortunately, I can't comment on this ... harassing artists often at their home by boat should be illegal. thas all i know."
This resulted in NASCAR choosing to drop the yellow caution flag when it came to having Currington perform at May’s Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. On Friday (April 26), officials announced that the singer would be replaced by Josh Turner at the pre-race concert.
Kenny Chesney will donate a portion of the proceeds of his April 30th release of LIFE ON A ROCK to benefit “Friends of the US Virgin Islands National Park” Chesney didn’t know what he’d found the first time he went to the Virgin Islands for a video shoot. But over the next 15 years, he found a harbor in the craziness, friends he would have far beyond stardom and a place that grounded him in the beauty of the ocean, the shore and the national parks. Over time, all that would inspire him to write a lot of songs for himself and his friends; now a handful of those songs have become Life On A Rock.
The organization helps create and maintain trails, restore beaches, research coral reefs and more. Without that stuff, Kenny would just be standing in some dank alley of a concrete jungle, wearing jean shorts and flip-flops, drinking piña coladas out of a coffee mug all by himself.
McGraw Keeps 'Em Guessing: Tim McGraw launches his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour in Birmingham, AL next week (5/2), and while he doesn't want to give too much away, if you're hoping to see Taylor Swift join him on "Highway Don't Care," you won't be disappointed. "You'll hear Taylor," he reveals. "But how you see her is a whole different way. It's gonna be really cool, how we do it." What about Keith Urban? "You'll see some of Keith, too. Unless he charges me to be up on the screen." So there's a screen, huh? Not a Tupac hologram situation? "You have to come see it," says Tim. "I can't tell you all the secrets." Alright, but is there any chance one or both of them might show up live on a date or two? Tim says, "You never know." You're a sly dog, McGraw.
Family Tries: Travis Tritt has recorded "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" with his 15-year-old daughter Tyler Reese. The song will be released June 16, Father's Day. Travis first covered the song, by Patty Smyth and Don Henley, for his 2007 album The Storm, but had to shelve it because he couldn't find the right duet partner. Cut to 2013. "We were driving home from a wedding in Florida when the song came up on my iPod," explains Travis. "[Tyler] had never heard the song, and she started singing along in the backseat. The gears then started to shift for Travis, who hasn't released a single in six years.
Beer For My Forces: Toby Keith will visit the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii to perform for troops as part of his 11th USO/Armed Forces Entertainment Tour.
Lady Antebellum will perform at the McKittrick Hotel in New York City May 7 to celebrate the release of their new album GOLDEN. The show will benefit Musicians On Call on behalf of LadyAID
Sunday Mornin' Country , the annual Country and Gospel music show, is pleased to announce that the GRAMMY award-winning country artist Linda Davis and veteran country singer and hit songwriter, George Hamilton IV will host this year’s show, to be held June 9, 2013 at 2:30 PM at the Grand Ole Opry House. Named a Top-20 Tourism Society Event, Sunday Mornin' Country®, now in its 34th year, has been traditionally an outlet for many country music fans that are in town attending the CMA MusicFest to come and see one final show featuring over a dozen country and Gospel artists.
Sarah Darling attended April 25th’s premiere of “For the Love of Music…The Story of Nashville” during the Nashville Film Festival and just so happened to run in to one of her most-admired musical heroes, Joy Williams of The Civil Wars.
Darling posed for a photo with the GRAMMY Award-winning artist, and this morning she tweeted: @_SarahDarling: “I met Joy from @thecivilwars last night! My favorite singer ever!”
Zac Brown Band's Southern Ground Music & Food Festival revealed a lineup for Nashville that includes headliners Kenny Chesney, John Fogerty and Jason Mraz along with Willie Nelson & The Family Band, Eli Young Band, Kacey Musgraves and more. The fest takes place Sept. 27-28 on The Lawn at Riverfront Park. Dates and performers for the Charleston, SC edition have yet to be announced.
BABY NEWS
Dierks Bentley and wife Cassidy Black are expecting their third child this Autumn. Bentley broke the news via Twitter, noting a change in the couple's "family defensive strategy ... from man-to-man to zone. #3!"
MUSIC NEWS
AOL Music Calls It Quits. Although AOL is not commenting officially, the demise of AOL Music and its services Spinner, The Boom Box, Noise Creep, and The Boot was documented recently by staffers who Tweeted and posted Facebook messages about their exits from the company. Since the AOL brand was split off from former parent Time Warner, new CEO Tim Armstrong has been steering AOL in the direction of a digital publishing company with its acquisition of Huffington Post.
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
George Strait’s new album LOVE IS EVERYTHING will be released May 14 with an accompanying 'ZinePak available exclusively at Walmart in America. Only 60,000 copies have been made featuring 64 pages of content, the 13-track CD and a commemorative set list from the Cowboy Rides Away Tour.
The Randy Rogers Band‘s new album TROUBLE (MCA Nashville) hits stores on April 30th.They unveil their new song, “Goodbye Lonely” at CountryMusicRocks . For an exclusive stream of one of the album’s tracks “If I Had Another Heart” (160kbps stream/download) go to Keepin’ it Country TROUBLE serves as the band’s fifth studio album and is comprised of 11 solid songs.
The group have charted 7 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and their last release, 2010's Burning the Day, peaked at #2 on the Country Albums charts.
Glen Campbell's Alzheimer's disease has progressed too far for him to remain on tour, the veteran singer is planning a followup to his 2011 album Ghost on the Canvas, which he had intended to be his last recorded work. Campbell will release SEE YOU THERE on August 6th on Surfdog Records. The new album features reimagined versions of hits like "Wichita Lineman," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Rhinestone Cowboy" and "Gentle on My Mind," and was recorded by Julian Raymond during the same sessions that yielded songs for Ghost on the Canvas.
Despite the toll Alzheimer's has taken on the 77-year-old singer, he hasn't lost his love of music. "Glen still wants to record, but it's just a matter of if he's able to," his wife Kim told The Associated Press. "It just gets more and more difficult for him all the time." His family still invites musicians to their house, and Campbell joins in on jam sessions. He also stays active by playing golf.
Willie Nelson, despite landing his 80th birthday on April 30, he continues to record and tour as prodigiously as ever. While he has made albums with producers ranging from T-Bone Burnett to Ryan Adams, and collaborated with the likes of Snoop Dogg and Wynton Marsalis over the past decade, new album LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE is a simpler affair, a gorgeously rendered collection of standards by Irving Berlin, Django Reinhardt and other composers who helped form Nelson's musical vocabulary. It's also a showcase for the current incarnation of his band; specifically, the musical bond he has always shared with his piano-playing sister, Bobbie.
"[These] are songs that Bobbie and I grew up playing and we've kept playing our whole lives: 'South of the Border,' 'Walking My Baby Back Home,' 'Face yhe Music,'" Nelson tells Exclaim! "Actually, 'Face the Music' was one we had to learn for this session. [It's] an incredible piece of music. You just can't jump out there and play it without working on it. We worked on it a long time."
Nelson further reveals that he and producer Buddy Cannon are already in the final stages of his next album, a collection of duets with many high-profile female vocalists.
"We cut most of the tracks in Nashville with people like Barbra Streisand, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones," Nelson says. "Miranda Lambert and I just did one of the last songs that Waylon [Jennings] wrote. I'm looking forward to singing with all the girls in Nashville if I get a chance."
Andy Gibson has a new single coming out called "Best Thing" which will be available June 4th
Michelle Wright's new single, "Strong," has just been sent to country radio across Canada. It was made available on iTunes.ca Tues, April 30. Sample at www.michelle-wright
Joe Nichols new summer single "Sunny And 75" (Red Bow Records) impacts rado May 13, 2013. Co-written by Michael Dulaney, Jason Sellers and Paul Jenkins, "Sunny and 75" is the first single from Joe's upcoming album on his new label home, Red Bow Records. Listen/stream at soundcloud.com
His recent singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart:
a) "The Shape I'm In" charted for 33 weeks, peaking at #17 on 3/12/11.
b) "Take It Off" charted for 22 weeks, peaking at #25 on 10/29/11
Streamsound Records’ country newcomer Dakota Bradley released his debut single, “Somethin’ Like Somethin’,” to Country radio April 29.
The uptempo track was written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, and Shane McAnally. The release is Dakota’s first single from his forthcoming 2013 full-length album, which is co-produced by Grammy award-winning producer Byron Gallimore and Country music superstar Tim McGraw.
“Dakota is the real deal,” said McGraw. “He is a great young artist who defies the trends and lives for his music. His voice is unique and instantly recognizable, and his ability to convey pure emotion in his music draws the listener in from the very first word of every song. Working with him on this project has been a lot of fun. The single is a great summer song and I really think Country radio is going to dig it.”
“I am truly blessed to have had Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw co-produce the single and my album,” said Bradley. “I pinch myself everyday to make sure this isn’t a dream. I am really thankful for them both and for Streamsound Records for taking a chance on me.”
To listen to Bradley’s single “Somethin’ Like Somethin’,” download from here. [right click/Save As]
Blurb: "Somethin’Like Somethin’" is a great up-tempo summer song that will get you feeling like jumping in the river!!!
It will be available on iTunes and other major digital music retailers May 14th.
The 18-year-old St. Louis native, currently lives in Nashville and has been visiting radio stations for the past three months on a national radio tour. He has been making impromptu appearances across the United States, including stops at San Antonio Mall, Dylan’s Candy Shop in New York City, and Orlando for “Playlist Live.” Large groups of young fans attended these appearances as a result of announcements made through Bradley’s Twitter. In addition, #DakotaBradleyAtACMs trended worldwide on Twitter during the 2013 ACM Awards. This his ACM red carpet interview http://bcove.me/bfn2e1vc , yes he displayed the country music version of Mount Rushmore!
Music City Roots and Compass Records Group have announced the release of four compilation albums released April 23rd through iTunes, Amazon, and other key digital music retailers. Each themed album features live performances carefully chosen from the popular radio show’s archives, which tapes and broadcasts in front of a live audience every Wednesday night at the Loveless Barn on the edge of Music City.
The digital-only collections Grassroots – Amazon UK – Amazon.com - UK iTunes
Those who purchase the full albums will receive song-by-song notes by Music City Roots journalist Craig Havighurst plus striking photography by show photographer Anthony Scarlati.
The performers featured on the compilations include Americana superstars, hot contemporary artists on the circuit and exciting emerging talents. Among them: Darrell Scott, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Tim O’Brien, Gretchen Peters ("The Matador" on SongRoots) , Ben Sollee, Alejandro Escovedo, The SteelDrivers and The Wood Brothers.
Suggest Google search "Music City Roots: SongRoots" to find the titles.
PRESS RELEASES
“Country music powerhouse” Tate Stevens took the stage in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday April 21st night to perform for a sold out crowd at Midland by AMC just two days before his major label self-titled debut hit the shelves. The 3,000 capacity crowd raucously welcomed their hometown hero who dominated headlines after winning FOX's The X Factor last December. Backed by his five-piece band, Stevens' 75-minute set included his current single, "Power Of A Love Song," "Can't Get Nothin' Done," as well as "I Got This" from Tate Stevens.
In an emotionally charged moment, Stevens invited his wife, Ashlie, and his two children, son Hayden and daughter Rylie, to the stage to acknowledge how much his life has changed since they signed him up to audition for The X Factor just over one year ago. Stevens thanked them profusely before presenting Ashlie with flowers - EB Media PR
ARTICLES
2013 CMA Close Up New Artist Spotlight by Bob Doerschuk: Tate Stevens
Shooter Jennings has gotten flack for things he's said a time or two before, but on the night of the ACM Awards earlier this month, some Twitter users were criticizing him for what he wasn't saying.
The independent country-rocker (and son, of course, of outlaw legend Waylon Jennings) largely bit his tongue during the country awards show, but freely retweeted comments from other folks, who accused the show of being rigged, labeled Jason Aldean a "pop singer" and called for a ban on "pretty boys in baseball caps," among other things. Many fans cheered his activity on, but one follower said he wished Jennings would just speak his mind with his music, "like his pops."
Jennings' response: "Waylon and Cash did their fair share of disapproving, but they didn't have Twitter or Luke Bryan."
"I'm not a music snob," Jennings tells The Tennessean from the road - "I'm not going to sit up here and say, 'Your music is worse than mine.' My problem is the insincerity of material that gets put out a lot, and that it's transparently being constructed to sell records. That's what I can join in the laughter” about.
MAGAZINE
Best In Texas Music Magazine Vol 13 Spring 2013 - Link
LISTEN
The Cluttered Corner from (Texas Music Chart) loves when female Texas music artists come to visit -- they're such a rare species. Katie Key catchs up with Sheila Marshall >> YouTube
SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and recommendations.
George Jones Ultimate Playlist (EW) - SPOTIFY LINK
News: Spotify's quest for world domination is continuing.
The top on-demand, streaming-music service is set to launch in eight new markets, including Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, the Baltics, and Iceland. Adding territories has been a top priority for Spotify, which is racing to boost its user base. Spotify, which launched in the U.S. just over a year and a half ago, now has 24 million active users, 6 million of whom are paying subscribers. It's become the fastest-growing digital music company ever, and is second in reach only to Internet radio company Pandora.
Unfortunately, things aren’t quite as perfect as we have been led to believe. Whilst Spotify does pay for the music it streams, most of the payout goes directly to the label who can receive up to 18% of shares from the ‘legal’ online streaming. However, this comes at a price for the artists and songwriters who see little to none of this profit, leaving many increasingly frustrated by the lack of money they are receiving.
In 2010 Lady Gaga claimed that for over 1 million plays of her song ‘Poker Face’ on Spotify she received a cheque for a tiny $167. It is seemingly for this reason many musicians have chosen to have their music removed from Spotify or a label decides its best for the artists’ sales interest not having the new release made available, eg Taylor Swift's RED
FREE DOWNLOADS
Chris Henry & The Hardcore Grass are a five piece bluegrass band based in Nashville, TN. Founded in 2012, the group has risen quickly to be one of the most popular bluegrass groups in Nashville.
His band is called Hardcore Grass, and the reason is because of the intensity with which they perform his music. It’s best described as a kind of “white-knuckle, bite the cap off the coke bottle grit.”
Chris comes from a traditional bluegrass background and blends his appreciation for the classic sound with his own creativity to stretch out into wide open spaces that have audiences riveted to hear and ...see what happens next.Barbara Mandrell - "Best I ever heard"
Making My Way to You is a collection of new songs that draws from a diverse musical background to take the listener on a soul journey from hard-driving traditional bluegrass, to more folky, natural places with a healthy dose of country flavored Americana.
noisetrade.com Quotes: JPEG Image
WATCH
Ashley Monroe, “Two Weeks Late” Video - Exclusive Acoustic Performance - www.theboot.com
We've all heard the expression "a day late and a dollar short." But leave it to Ashley Monroe to put a clever country spin on that old saying in "Two Weeks Late," a tune she co-wrote with Shane McAnally.
Steve Martin & Edie Brickell performing "When You Get to Asheville" with The Steep Canyon Rangers and members of the CBS Orchestra on the Late Show with David Letterman April 23, 2013. The song is the opening track from Steve and Edie’s just-released album, LOVE HAS COME FOR YOU >> YouTube
MTV Buzz, Taylor Swift Interview - buzz.mtv.co.uk - The '22' singer opened up for an exclusive conversation with MTV Buzz.
Australian country star Lee Kernaghan pays tribute to George Jones "He Stopped Loving Her Today" >> YouTube
Patty Griffin's dreamy, nostalgic video for "Ohio" artfully combines intriguing design with earnest folk music. Directed and designed by Roy Taylor, the video's backdrop is made entirely from cut paper and pulled from the history books. – “I wanted to portray the overwhelming desire to reunite with family and loved ones and the spirit of those who helped," Griffin tells Rolling Stone. Ohio' will appear on Patty Griffin's seventh album, AMERICAN KID, set for release on May 7th -
COUNTRY GOSSIP
Pop country superstar Taylor Swift is getting to be quite the real estate mogul. Just over a month after selling her Cape Cod-style house in Hyannis Port, Mass. for a profit of nearly one million dollars, the 23-year old star turned around and purchased an enormous mansion in Rhode Island for $17 million — and paid in cash.
Swift sold the house in Massachusetts after breaking up with Conor Kennedy. According to TMZ, she had been looking around for a new place, and toured the 11,000-square-foot-plus home in Rhode Island on April 15. The asking price was around $24 million, but Swift talked the sellers down to the low, low price of $17,750,000. She reportedly wired over the money after the deal was reached. Movers were seen at the house on Saturday.
TWEETS
Matraca Berg - Christopher Hanna, son of Jeff Hanna [her husband & the original founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band] and mother Rae Hoyt, brother to Jaime, Taylor, Kathryn,Marc and Lauren, love of Brittany Searles life, has left this world . Love and light and peace to you, sweet stepson. You were that to all of us here.
PHOTO
Growing up, Miranda Lambert loved to go to the soda shop with her dad for root beer floats. When she bought 'The Pink Pistol,' it already had a soda fountain so she restored it and when she's in town she said she feels like a kid again to make sundaes and floats for people. - Image
Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer just got the most adorable boxer puppy! - Image
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| Lady A = Charles Kelley ! |
Resident Bush: Charles Kelley faces his toughest nightly decision ... which will be the perfect chest hair extension to attach for tonight's show?
R.I.P
Richie Havens, the folk singer and guitarist who was the first performer at Woodstock, died Monday at age 72.
His performance at the three-day 1969 Woodstock Festival, where headliners included Jimi Hendrix, was a turning point in his career. He was the first act to hit the stage, performing for nearly three hours. His performance of “Freedom,” based from the spiritual “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” became an anthem.
Dr. Bob Mavian (aka Gibson Case of the Case Brothers) passed away in hospital Saturday, April 20 surrounded by his
family. Bob had recently retired from his long career as a vet. He was known to many in the bluegrass community as one of the nicest banjo and mandolin pickers ever. Bob grew up in Bergen County NJ and Manhattan. He started out as a teenager picking country music guitar (Hank Snow was his favorite), but like so many others, converted to bluegrass banjo when he heard an early Flatt & Scruggs 78 RPM record.
George Jones, Country Music Hall of Famer and master of blue-flame weepers, died at age 81. Jones, had a string of number one songs between the 1950s and 1990s. Jones publicist, Kirt Webster, said the Grammy-winning singer was admitted to hospital for fever and irregular blood pressure and died on Friday April 26, 2013. (Read the Official Webster & Associates Press Release)
Tributes continue to flood in:
“He came to Sony Publishing looking for material,” remembers “He Stopped Loving Her Today” songwriter Bobby Braddock, “and he was like, ‘I don’t want to bother ya’ll.’ And I was like, ‘Bother us!? You’re George Jones!’”
“Think of all the celebrities, stars and athletes that people will not forgive the bad things they did,” says producer Tony Brown, who worked on the ONE album. “Everybody seemed to want to hold him up instead of write him off, and I think that just speaks to his character.”
Few in the business knew Jones as well as Billy Sherrill, who produced Jones for nearly 20 years at Epic. Sherrill took Jones’ loss as hard as any Music Row veteran.“George and I didn’t just have a music relationship, we were friends for many years,” Sherrill said in a statement. “He was a real character in the old days, and I will miss him dearly.”
Gretchen Peters in her Newsletter writes: “Nashville is grieving for George Jones, the greatest country singer who ever lived; a man who could "tear your heart out when he sang". In the past week I've heard him eulogized on the radio, read many tributes to him online and in print, and seen an outpouring of love and respect from his fellow artists, singers and musicians on social media. All more than deserved. I was lucky enough to have my first "cut" as a songwriter by George Jones: he recorded "Traveller's Prayer" in the late 1980's and conferred it more gravitas than it would have (or probably should have) received on its own merits. I consider myself lucky for my career to have intersected in any way with a giant like Jones; his influence and his genius can't be overstated. Just ask Keith Richards, or James Taylor, or Emmylou Harris. Or if you could, Ray Charles, or Gram Parsons. What's truly remarkable about George Jones is that his reach extends so far beyond genre and yet he remained as country as cornbread to the end. Soul is soul. He had it in spades”.
See separate Blog Post George Jones: Factfile, Billboard Chart Success, Country Artist and radio Tributes, Links to: Articles, Videos, Interviews and Audio
Stu Page, one of Britain’s finest guitarists and singer/songwriters on the country music circuit has sadly died, aged 58. After slipping on ice in December 2012 it resulted in a fractured vertebrae. Complications following his accident led to surgery and it was discovered he had lung cancer and had to go through intensive chemotherapy.
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