Country Bites News snippets August 26 - September 1, 2013

Country Bites News snippets August 26 – September 1, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

Noel Flynn, a native of Athboy, Co.Meath has released ‘Picture In A Frame’ ahead of his third studio album. The song written by Dennis Knutson was previously a hit for Stella Parton and Moe Bandy.  

It is complemented by a top class arrangement from acclaimed producer Ollie Hennessey at the Room 404 Studios in Carlow, who also recently served as the Musical Director for this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival broadcast on RTE. 

Blending hints of American Country, Roots, Bluegrass and Folk, this is a new interpretation of an old classic. Noel recounts being a lifelong Country Music fan and having worked as a DJ for a number of years before making the switch into performing himself. He released his first album ‘Turn Back The Years’ four years ago, which was a mixture of Irish and American Country classics. Noel shares: “Since the last album, we’ve worked really hard to select tracks and spare no expense to produce an album which will live up to the same standards as the last two. I’m really pleased with it, but most of all I hope the fans, radio presenters and promoters in Ireland and further afield will enjoy it, because they’ve been responsible for all that has happened for me to date”

Noel has performed in the UK, appearing at venues such as Conway’s 3 in London, and the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester. Noel plans to release the album in the Autumn.  - www.noelflynnmusic.com

Daniel O'Donnell has revealed his wife Majella refused to allow him to stop touring after she was diagnosed with cancer.

Last month, Majella received the news that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

But the 53-year-old told her entertainer husband: "The show must go on." Daniel revealed that Majella would now start chemotherapy in September. Daniel said it had been a huge decision for him to go on tour abroad in the coming weeks -- to continue his tour in America and Britain. But he revealed that Majella's mum would be staying with her and looking after her every need.

UKCountryRadio.com have recently changed their streaming host. All of the links on their website have been updated, Internet Radios using the Reciva system are now using their new streams, as is the popular TuneIn mobile app. 

If, however, you have previously "bookmarked" or "favourited" one of their old streams, you will find it no longer works after the end of this month. You will need to visit www.ukcountryradio.com/tunein  to access the new streams. UKCountryRadio.com claim: "playing the Hottest Country Music for the UK, 24 hours a day"

This September, UKCountryRadio.com celebrate their first six years with their Sixth Birthday Party on Saturday 7th September with a live concert lined up, along with a three-course celebratory dinner. It takes place at the Best Western Premier Yew Lodge Hotel, Kegworth, Derby. Artists appearing include The Annie Duggan Band, The Kerr Donnelly Band, Nashville singer-songwriter Ashley Robertson and our Listeners' Club Award finalists Chris Green Project, Thorne Hill and Wayne Jacobs.

Read their Listeners' Club Newsletter for September.

The Shropshire County Showground will be staging a two day Country Music Festival at the Shropshire County Showground on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd September 2013. This is the first ever event of this kind to be staged in Shrewsbury and if successful it is hoped that will become the first of many in the future. Organisers' are inviting local Country Music artistes who normally play in the pubs and clubs of Shrewsbury and Shropshire to play to a bigger audience at this inaugural event - shropshirecountyshow.com

THE Vaynol Estate Management Company, Vaynol Events Ltd will be promoting their first event this year, the Vaynol Country Music Festival which will take place between September 5-8, 2013. The festival will offer visitors the opportunity of camping on the beautiful and private Vaynol Estate.

For the forthcoming event, visitors will be able to enjoy some of the best UK Country acts around artists such as John Permenter the prolific fiddler from Texas, The Swing Commanders, The Haley Sisters, Next of Kin, Fools Gold, Carl Shay, The Hanks, Luke and Mel, Dave Cash, Atlanta, David Palmer, Brian Gibbson, Little Rock and the veteran Welsh  favourites Iona ac Andy who live just up the road from the Vaynol. The Henry Smith, Brian Hughes and Ray Peter Bands will also be taking the stage.

For more information, call the Vaynol Country Music Festival on 01248 511 830 or visit www.vaynolfest.co.uk  - Artist Line Up PDF

Ashley Robertson the Winnipeg, Manitoba born and Nashville based artist has UK September dates

The ABC of British Country Music Live listings for Artists, Bands & Clubs allbritishcountry@gmail.com  - http://www.allbritishcountry.co.uk/

UK CHART NEWS

On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week Ending September 7, 2013)

Taylor Swift’s ” Everything Has Changed” (Mercury) feat. Ed Sheeran, was down 39-50 in its 15th retail week. Florida Georgia Line (feat. Nelly) with “Cruise” (ISLAND/NASHVILLE) which made its debut on the chart at No.75 with 2,999 sales has dropped off the chart. The Florida Georgia Line single was only the second to make the Top 75 with a sale of fewer than 3,000 this year. It continues to reign on the  “A” playlist on BBC Radio 2.

On the Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week Ending September 7, 2013)

Taylor Swift’s RED was down six slots 43-49 in its 45th chart week.

The Civil Wars, the alt/Rock/Country duo fall 20 places from No.39 to No.59 in their 4th week.

Glen Campbell who was at No.66 has dropped off the chart. 

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending September 7, 2013)

The top 3 remain the same with Glen Campbell’s SEE YOU THERE at No.1 for a third week. Lady Antebellum at No.2 with GOLDEN (Decca) in its 17th week and Nathan Carter with WHERE I WANNA BE (Sharpe Music) which moved 2-3, swapped places .

On the Hotdisc Chart (September 1, 2013 Chart) 

Drew Gregory hopped 2-1 to landed his first Hotdisc No.1 with his debut release with his driving country rock song called "Truck. Beer. Girl." He squeezed past Billy Yates’ “She Ain’t Got Nobody”, which dropped to No.2, to nab the pole position in one of the tightest battles for the #1 pole position in Hotdisc chart history.

Rachele Lynae climbed 4-3 with “Fishin’ For Something” and former No.1 Chris Higbee fell 3-4 with his debut European single “Fiddles Rock”

Stephanie Jansen’s “Running From The Blues” stayed at No.5

Yorkshire band Atlanta with the original composition "This Promise" rose 7-6 on the Top 40 and headed the British & Irish Top 10 for a third week. British act The Hicksville Band have made a four place stride on the Top 40 (14-10) to round out the Top 10 with their original track, "Me Too".

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(17 Aug 2013) Sam Baker - Say Grace 14 Tracks / Time: 46:43 MP3 

(19 Aug 2013) Lucy Ward - Single Flame (Compass Records)

12 tracks / Time: 48:44 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes  Traditional British & Celtic Folk

(21 Aug 2013) Taylor Faith - Country Summer (self release) 
EP 7 Tracks / Time: 23:07 MP3 - UK iTunes  New Hampshire native Taylor Lintelman attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN where she studied commercial voice. She then attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy where she obtained a degree in Musical Theater. As of 2013 she is a member of the USO Show Troupe based in NYC

(27 Aug 2013) Sundy Best - Door Without A Screen (Deluxe Edition) (Eone Nashville)

18 Tracks/ Time:  1:10:40 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes

(26 Aug 2013) Various Artists - The Big E: A Salute To Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons

( Music Producers) 16 Tracks CD - UK iTunes

 (27 Aug 2013) Various - Alabama & Friends (Show Dog Nashville)

Tribute to legendary country music band Alabama CD

(3 Sept 2013) Sandra Boyton - Frog Trouble (Warner Bros / Wea) - CD

(3 Sept 2013) Craig Morgan - The Journey (Livin' Hits) (Black River Entertainment)

12 Tracks/ Time: 44:02  CD - MP3

Miss Leslie - Lucky $12.97 ( $7.54 or $5.57 without jewel case) - 

CDBaby - Smart Choice Music - £12.99

Country music with an edge. For those that love country music and hardwood floors and a good tear in your beer song.

Recommended if You Like: Connie Smith, Patsy Cline, Shelby Lynne, Texas, Honky Tonk and Drinking Songs

Leslie Ann Sloan, known to her fans as Miss Leslie, has released her new album, Lucky, which finds her stretching beyond the confines of her traditional country sound. The stories are still there, but she's playing with new ideas, incorporating new genres and letting in some humour.

AUSSIE NEWS

McAlister Kemp new CD "Harder To Tame', to be released January 17, 2014.

Melbourne artist John Flanagan has taken out two of the major categories at this years 2013 Gympie Music Muster Talent Search. His original composition Last Of The Cassette Men won Best Original Song and his performance earned him the overall Best Performance award.

The first artist announcements for CMC Rocks the Hunter March 14 - 16, 2014 are: Toby Keith, Kellie Pickler, Craig Campbell, Love and Theft, Eli Young Band and Lee Kernaghan - See Flyer

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is home to the biggest names in country music and in 2014; the Festival will pay tribute to one of its pioneers, Australian icon and country music legend, Slim Dusty.

Just a few months on from the 10th anniversary of the passing of the King of Australian Country Music, the Festival will celebrate Slim’s contribution to Australian country music and culture through a number of special events.

“Slim left behind an incredible legacy through his music, his numerous awards and the artists that he mentored and supported,” said Tamworth Region Mayor Col Murray.“It is a lasting legacy that continues to grow and this is our way of acknowledging and honouring a pioneer of the country music industry and our great Festival.” The 2014 Festival will pay tribute to Slim in a number of ways including the unveiling of a bronze statue of country music’s first couple, Slim and his wife Joy McKean in a prominent location in the CBD. “The statue recognises the huge contribution Slim Dusty and Joy McKean have made to Australia’s musical heritage and the integral role they played in helping to establish Tamworth as the Country Music Capital,” said Cr Murray.

John Bromell, former Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music Publishing and Rondor Music, has died in a car accident at Coffs Harbour. He was 71. John was driving on the Bucca Road north west of Coffs this morning when reports say his car left the road and hit a tree. It is believed he may have suffered a heart attack.

Prior to his retirement from the mainstream music business, he was Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music Australia for 17 years. John began his career as a drummer in Melbourne before joining musical group The Cicadas which travelled to the UK in 1964 becoming The Gibsons and releasing 12 singles with some chart success. He returned to Australia in 1968 to take up a position as Professional Manager with Essex Music. In 1973, he started Rondor Music and in 1981 joined Warner Music which became Warner Chappell in 1988. During these years John signed many writers including, from country music, Troy Cassar-Daley, Gina Jeffreys, the Kernaghans (Lee, Tania and Fiona) and Garth Porter.

After official retirement, John served a term as Vice Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia and was awarded the the Association's Industry Award in 1996.

CANADIAN NEWS

Western Avenue, a Canadian pop-country trio act have just been signed and are due to drop their debut single ‘Wherever You Are’ in the US on September 3. Cover Art

The song was written by Western Avenue’s Nikki English and Canadian songwriter, Dave Woods. In addition to vocals by English, vocals were provided by band members, Keith Robertson and Matt Williams. Robertson, who is English’s husband, also played guitar, bass and mandolin, while Williams provided guitar and banjo tracks. Western Avenue is a 2013 Ontario Country Music Association (CMAO) award nominee for Best Group or Duo.

Michelle Wright's current single, "Strong," has made it into the Mediabase Canadian country radio Top 40 It's at #40, her first Top 40 Canadian single in six years.

NEWS

• Sammy Kershaw posted on Facebook that Randy Travis has contracted pneumonia at the facility where he’s recovering from a stroke.
• Kayla Calabrese, a country new-comer is quickly establishing herself as one of Music Row’s hottest acts.  Her first single, “Kiss Me”, just cracked the top 80, currently holding the number 78 spot on the Music Row Country Chart.
• Keith Urban will celebrate the release of his new album, FUSE, with an album pre-release party and performance on Friday, September 6 at an undisclosed location in Nashville. Fans internationally can watch the live stream from Yahoo! Music’s Ram Country Live!
• Alan Jackson is taking his new project, The Bluegrass Album, to New York City's Carnegie Hall on October 28. The bluegrass musicians who played with him on the album, due out September 24, will join Alan for the Carnegie Hall date. Alan wrote eight of the 14 songs on The Bluegrass Album.
• Chris Young's record label staff scared him into surviving recent Illness...Young had a close call with death earlier this month when a bacterial infection caused him to go into septic shock. The bacteria entered his bloodstream through a small wound on his leg caused by an ingrown hair, and the illness required emergency surgery.
• Chris Young, Thompson Square, Darius Rucker, David Nail and American Idol finalist Kree Harrison are among the stars either performing or presenting at the 7th Annual ACM Honors. The show takes place Tuesday, September 10 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, The Judds and the late Keith Whitley are among this year's honorees. Dierks Bentley returns for another stint as host.
• Little Big Town are planning a fall retreat to begin work on next studio album.
• This week marked 50 years since Martin Luther King’s earthquake of a "I Have A Dream" speech. Gretchen Peters is proud of her dad's early work, especially the fact that he wrote the first nationally published article on Martin Luther King in Redbook magazine. Here's a letter from King to her father, in response to an early draft of that article - PDF File
• After The After Party:  "It's time to dance," says Big Kenny as he intros his newly
  
  trademarked brand of electronic country dance music called >> Electro Shine. He hopes these songs, which include remixed versions of Big & Rich's "Party Like Cowboys" and "Born Again," will continue the "expandilism" of music without prejudice. Is this the future? http://electroshine.tv/  “Party Like Cowboyz” / “Born Again” (feat. Big Kenny & John Rich) single will be released Sep 03, 2013 on Glotown Records - US iTunes
• Tate Stevens, who signed with RCA Nashville after winning the second season of The X-Factor in 2012, is no longer listed on the Sony Nashville website. This has led to speculation that Stevens has parted ways with the label or possibly been dropped. Stevens struck a chord with viewers on The X-Factor with his down-home family man persona, making him one of the top vote-getters nearly every week of the competition. Unfortunately, the voter support didn't translate into high sales numbers, as his self-titled debut album moved less than 17,000 copies in the week of its release in May, while his debut single "Power of a Love Song" failed to reach the Country Top 40. Fourth-pace X-Factor finishers Emblem3 outsold Stevens by a wide margin with their Billboard Top 10 debut album and popular radio airplay singles.
• Taylor Swift will reveal a new song entitled ‘Sweeter Than Fiction’ this week. It won’t be a track from her fifth album, however, but a song she’s contributed to the soundtrack of upcoming movie “One Chance” about the life story of Paul Potts, winner of Britain’s Got Talent season 1. The film will follow his inspirational journey from being a Welsh steel mill worker to famed opera singer. It will star Julie Walters and James Corden. Alleged to play over the movie’s end credits, ‘Sweeter Than Fiction’ was co-written by Taylor and Jack Antonoff, the guitarist from fun..

Tours

• Lady Antebellum add 2014 US and Canada dates to their "Take Me Downtown Tour", ticket sales start 13 Sept - Tour Banner
• George Strait will announce the final leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour on Monday, Sept. 9 during a live press conference from the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys).
• More than a hundred people were arrested Friday night at a country music festival taking place at Gillette Stadium when headliner Kenny Chesney returned on August 23rd and 24th. Two other major events at Gillette earlier this year - a Taylor Swift concert and a Bon Jovi concert – went ahead smoothly.
• Taylor Swift's non-stop parade of onstage guests continued Tuesday night in Sacramento, California when Gary Lightbody, lead singer of the band Snow Patrol, joined her on stage for a duet >> "The Last Time". Taylor is a huge fan of Snow Patrol, a Northern Irish/Scottish band best known in the U.S. for their song "Chasing Cars," which became a hit after being featured on Grey's Anatomy. Taylor’s record-breaking run of shows at Los Angeles' Staples Center came to a close Saturday night (Aug 24) with a very special guest: none other than Jennifer Lopez, they performed "Jenny From the Block"
• Confirmed: Man Struck by Car, Killed Outside Jason Aldean Concert Sunday Night...Jason Aldean was on stage Sunday night in Scranton, PA when 32-year-old Michael Sanders was struck and killed by an SUV outside the concert venue. The driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Ivy Giordano, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. Since the incident took place during Jason's concert, police were unsure if the driver and victim were concertgoers.... About a half-dozen incidents were reported in the parking lot outside the venue during that two-to-three hour period.

TV

Nashville’s first ABC TV season ended with a bang (literally) as country superstar Rayna Jaymes and her current boyfriend Deacon Claybourne were involved in a nasty, potentially fatal car crash.

This sneak peek gives viewers a first look at Season 2 (which bows in America on Wednesday, September 25) and while Deacon appears to be relatively unharmed after pulling Rayna from the wreckage, the love of his life and mother of his child is later shown lying unconscious in a hospital bed. The First Lady of Country Music is close to death after her car crash at the end of the Season 1 finale.

The network is going ahead with plans to have a split-season. After the September 25 premiere, the show will air several new episodes with only limited repeats through toearly December at which point the winter hiatus will begin.

Nashville will return from its winter hiatus on February 26, 2014 and again will air new episodes with limited repeats until the Season 2 finale next spring. For UK viewers it seems they will have longer to wait, a new series will be on More 4 in the New Year.

Songwriter Gretchen Peters spilled “I've been lucky enough to write songs with is my friend Mary Gauthier. The very first song we wrote together is called "How You Learn To Live Alone", and it's making its debut in the Season Premiere of the mega-popular ABC-TV show "Nashville". Tune in on September 25th to hear it!”

BABY NEWS

Stephen Barker Liles of the duo Love and Theft is about to become a father for the first time. Stephen and fiancée Jenna Michelle Kennedy have announced that they are expecting a child soon. Stephen and Jenna were engaged in May of this year in Fort Myers, Fla., and had targeted their wedding for May of 2014. According to People they are expecting their first baby December 3. They plan to marry next year. Stephen’s Love and Theft bandmate Eric Gunderson and wife welcomed their first child, Camden William, in March.

Until now, Chely Wright and wife Lauren Blitzer had only shared photos of their new baby boys’ feet and legs. Finally, George Samuel and Everett Joseph made their full debut on Instagram and in a campaign video for the New York City mayoral race.

On Instagram and Twitter, Wright and Blitzer have begun to share several other photos of the 3-month-old twins. Wright delivered George and Everett on May 18. The singer and Blitzer recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary. They have not said if they plan to have more children.

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

• Joe Nichols will release a new album titled CRICKETS on Oct. 8 on Red Bow Records (a partnership between Broken Bow Records and Sony Red Distribution). The album's first single, "Sunny and 75" is currently climbing the country Airplay chart. The 16-track project also includes a cover of Merle Haggard's "Footlights.
• Neal McCoy just released the Charley Pride classic “Roll on Mississippi” featuring Trace Adkins to radio (Aug 27). On September 24th, McCoy is releasing “Pride: A Tribute Album To Charley Pride.” McCoy brought along friends Darius Rucker, Trace Adkins and Raul Malo to pay homage to the living legend. The 11-song set, to be released by Slate Creek Records.Neal told Billboard magazine “I’ve been fortunate to have had some hits, met some great people, but it’s all due to Charley Pride getting me into country music back in 1981, he was my cheerleader, telling me, ‘you got what it takes, don’t give up.”
• Cassadee Pope is opening up about her parents’ divorce in “11,” a new song available on iTunes, from her upcoming debut Country album FRAME BY FRAME. While the full project on Republic Nashville won’t be released until October 8, the dynamic songstress is offering up a preview of the new music and a very personal look into her life now. “As a kid, when you go through something like your parents’ divorce, weird things go through your mind and you have no control. ’11’ has me opening up probably more than I’ve ever done before,” explains Cassadee, who gave Instagram followers a sneak peek over the weekend. Co-written with Nathan Champan, the autobiographical tune showcases vulnerability as she recounts childhood memories and life lessons: Rollingstone.com Cassadee Pope Goes Country: 'Now I Can Get Really Personal' ….'The Voice' winner explains ditching the pop world for Nashville
• Scotty McCreery is to release new album, SEE YOU TONIGHT, on October 15. This project marks the first time Scotty has co-written songs he's recorded, including the lead title cut single. Scotty says, "I am excited about letting folks hear it. We have been working on this for the better part of a year now, so it's a long time coming.” Scotty continues to include elements of classic country in his music.  "You will always hear the steel guitar and fiddle and those little nuances that make the older country what it was," Scotty says. "I definitely am trying to stay true to my tastes as an artist on this album." Scotty will continue on his The Weekend Roadtrip headlining tour all year all year long.
• Joey+Rory's daughter Heidi Feek [Rory’s daughters were 13 and 15 when Rory Feek and Joey Martin married] has a new album The Only coming out! It will be available on October 8th! Here is a eight song video mash-up snip! Nashville-based artist Heidi describes her music as “the swoon of Patsy Cline, the vibe of Chris Isaak, and the balls of Neko Case.” Heidi was raised on a farm an hour south of Music City, falling asleep in her father’s guitar case as he made the rounds as a songwriter in the ‘90’s. Choosing her own less-troden path, Heidi’s music combines the clean, lyrical narrative influence of the top-tier music row tunesmith’s she grew up around, and the reverb-drenched heroes she listened to on her 1st generation iPod.
• Sundy Best, Kentucky’s hottest duo eOne Entertainment’s releases DOOR WITHOUT A SCREEN Deluxe Edition on August 27, featuring 18 tracks, with 7 previously unreleased live songs and demo sessions.  The duo of Nick Jamerson and Kris Bentley are receiving an overwhelming response for the videos “Home” and “Lily” landing the top spot on several charts across the CMT (Country Music Television) platforms.
• ALABAMA & FRIENDS out in America Graphic - US iTunes

PRESS RELEASES

• Hale, Yeah:  ABC Family's Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale is preparing to launch her country music career with help from producer Mark Bright (Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts). Last November she was a guest of Sugarland's Kristian Bush at 46th annual CMA Awards red carpet they were writing songs together and he was acting as a mentor.
• Randy Travis is set to release his 21st studio album October 1st on Warner Bros. Records titled Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am. – Cover Art

• Eve Selis will leaving for Nashville on 5 September to record a Duets CD with her friend and song-writing genius Kim McLean. She asks for help to fund the project of original music.
• Kenny Chesney closed out his No Shoes Nation Tour 2013: 109,207 Fans Rocked in SONY PRESS
• “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock” broke new ground in Social Media. The >> special, which aired Monday, Aug. 12 on ABC, garnered 8.3 million viewers. It was the fifth most-watched program during the week.
• Dakota Bradley the country newcomer and Streamsound recording artist was featured on Glamour Magazine's website providing fans with an exclusive track called “Memory or Me.” The song showcases Bradley’s sentimental side and references the relationship struggle of a significant other letting go of a former flame. In the feature, Anna Moeslein of Glamour.com says, “The 20-year-old is going to be a star, I tell ya”.
• The Marksmen Quartet of Murrayville, Ga. received their third Dove Award nomination in the upcoming 44th Annual Awards.
• Chris Young celebrates late night with A.M.....the September 17 release of his new album.
• Carrie Underwood continues a run of #1s this week, as her current smash single, “See You Again,” tops the Mediabase country airplay chart to become the 18th #1 single of her career and her fourth consecutive chart-topper from her award-winning Blown Away album.
• Thomas Rhett’s debut album IT GOES LIKE THIS set for release October 29
• American Young hottest new duo on Curb Records!...American Young is Jon Stone and Kristy Osmunson, new single, “Love Is War”, hitting country radio stations now!
• Jake Owen previews “Days Of Gold” music video
• George Strait was honored and MCA Nashville extend recording contract for five Additional Albums.    
• Dierks Bentley to kick off CMA Awards Week with Music & Miles For Kids on Nov. 3
• Why attend the Americana Music Festival & Conference 2013 September 18th - 22, Nashville, TN
• Lucinda Williams will perform an intimate showcase of her self-titled album, celebrating the 25th anniversary of its release, to close the 2013 Americana Music Festival & Conference at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley. Its the big closeout for the Americana Music Festival and will be presented LIVE by Lightning 100!
• Rodney Atkins will join AXS-TV's Ashley Eicher to co-host the network's Labor Day Country Music Marathon.
• September Line-up at "Larry's Country Diner" will feature Rebecca Lynn Howard, Exile & Billy Dean
• Angie Johnson the new Sony Music Nashville artist, who gained fame when a video of her singing on a military base in the Middle East went viral, has been announced as the opening act for the fall dates of Scotty McCreery’s successful Weekend RoadTrip Tour 2013.
• Codie Provost will head to Canadian Country Music Week in Edmonton from September 5-8 and perform a showcase during the Americana Music Festival in Nashville.
• Craig Morgan is heading west in support of the September 3rd release of, THE JOURNEY (LIVIN’ HITS). 
• Randy Houser’s “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” becomes his first Platinum digital single

ARTICLES

• CMA Close Up:  New Artist Spotlight: Get To Know Sundy Best
• Rethinkchurch.org Joey and Rory: A journey of faith
• Country Weekly.com Kacey Musgraves Disses Songs About Trucks  …Think she’s just blowin’ smoke? Kacey Musgraves continues to position herself as an edgy alternative country artist, this time by declaring that she’s over songs about trucks. And Kacey doesn’t leave herself much wiggle room. “Anyone singing about trucks, in any form, in any song, anywhere, literally just stop—nobody cares!” Kacey tells British GQ. Yikes! And here’s what makes that declaration even more uncomfortable: Starting in November, Kacey opens for Lady Antebellum along with Kip Moore, who happens to have a giant hit with “Somethin’ ’Bout a Truck.” Awkward . . .
• No Depression.com Check out "Now That T Bone's Gone - Considering the Music on 'Nashville'"
• Billboard 615: Craig Morgan's 'Journey' Meant Revisiting Past Hits for New Album...In his decade-plus career, Craig Morgan hasn't covered any other artists on record. However, on his new album "The Journey: Livin' Hits" (Sept. 3), the singer re-imagines quite a few tracks that have been recorded before -- from himself.
• Culturemap.com Texas crooner Dale Watson talks David Letterman, Nashville revolt and Ameripolitan music…..Thanks to standout honky tonk tracks and a summer appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, Watson and his Lone Stars are enjoying new energy — and a growing fan base — nationwide...."One of my main complaints about Nashville music … is whenever you hear interviews with [those] guys — you know, like Rascal Flatts or somebody like that — they say their influences are George Jones and Merle Haggard. And that’s a flat-out lie," Watson says. "I’m just saying, if you’re going to state your influences, be honest with yourself. You listen to Boyz II Men, you don’t listen to Merle." "Video killed radio," Watson says, "but the Internet is saving country music — that and satellite radio. As a direct reaction to Nashville's abandonment of the genre's roots, Watson and his peers are on a crusade. "We’re kicking off a new genre called Ameripolitan. It’s four categories. It’s honky tonk, outlaw, Western swing and rockabilly," he says.

INTERVIEWS

• CMT Edge Sundy Best Make an Impression With Moving “Home”
• Rollingstone: Shania Twain Seeking Producers for New Album…Now in her second year of Vegas residency, LP will be her first since 2002...'m pretty much there with my songs, and I'm really just sitting on the fence in regards to a producer. So I'm listening to a lot of records, doing my homework there, and trying to determine who is the right match...
• Artist Direct: Florida Georgia Line talk "Cruise", movies, dream collaboration with Lil Wayne, and more
• News.Radio.com: Eric Church on Springsteen, Chesney & His ‘Different’ Follow-Up to ‘Chief’....“It’s different.” That’s the word from Eric Church on the musical direction he’s heading on his next album
• Spokesman.com - Martina McBride: Still at home with country ....I’ve had an amazing career, but I do think it’s harder for women to break through. And when they do, it’s really powerful. But I think it depends on when you’re looking, because I remember a time in the ’90s when there were a lot of women on country radio. We had Trisha Yearwood, Wynona, Faith Hill, myself, Patty Loveless; it was really woman-heavy. It got a lot of attention, and I remember reading a lot of articles about it, and I thought that was weird – you know, we have to write about how strange it is that there are more women on the radio than men at any given time.

BOOKS

Charlie Daniels “Legendary Country music artist”, has made his previously released book, The Devil Went Down To Georgia available for readers on Kindle through Amazon and Apple iBooks. The Devil Went Down To Georgia: Stories by Charlie Daniels is a timeless collection of short stories and vintage photos. Peachtree Publishers originally released the hardback version in 1985.

MAGAZINES

• SummerTyne Americana Festival 2013 Link
• MUSIC NEWS Scotland here's the latest FESTIVALS supplement -  Link
• Nashville Visitors Guide July - Dec 2013 - Link

LISTEN

Dolly Parton guests on fiddler Stuart Duncan's recording of the 19th-century song "Listen to the Mockingbird", part of a new collection of Civil War-era songs called Divided & United.  Written in 1855 by Septimus Winner and Richard Milburn, was used as marching music during the Civil War, and President Abraham Lincoln called its melody "as sincere as the laughter of a little girl at play."

SPOTIFY COUNTRY

For users of this online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and recommendations.

When its free and easy on Spotify who needs music piracy? You might get the party started at the White House,

The Lacs – Keep It Redneck 

Jimmy Buffett – Songs from St. Somewhere

Top 100 Country Tracks

Country Music: America's Labor Day Playlist Party

Working 9 to 5: Labor Day in United States...is annually held on the first Monday of September. America's Labor Party: 26 Country Songs for the American Worker..Country’s history lies in rural family farms, union factories and dirty coal mines, the places where people worked, worked, worked 40 hours -- often more -- to keep shoes on the kids’ feet, a car in the driveway and, as Josh Thompson puts it, “Beer on the Table.”...

FREE DOWNLOADS

"Hey Grace, Hey Tony" features four tracks off of Grace & Tony's upcoming release "November," due out November 12, 2013!

GRACE & TONY - The NOVEMBER Chronicles: She played bluegrass. He played punk... When Grace Shultz and Tony White met, they fell in love and the music just followed after - Noisetrade

WATCH

• Burns & Kristy "Caravan" - & "Blue Paper Boat" - CD - MP3 - CD Baby - UK iTunes 
• The music video for Joe Nichols’ Top 25 single “Sunny and 75” is now live on VEVO - http://vevo.ly/SDdDeg This is the first single from the forthcoming CD release on Red Bow Records, Nichols’ first full album recording in almost two years. The CD will be released in October. The music video was directed by Brian Lazzaro with Tacklebox Films handling production. The eye-catching piece was shot primarily at Westward Beach in the Malibu, CA area and according to Nichols, it evokes the exact feeling he wanted to capture on film.
• Jennifer Nettles performed her new single 'That Girl' recently on ABC NEWS.
• Ashley Monroe took some time backstage this summer to shoot a little acoustic version of "Bruises" w/ Train.
• Trisha Yearwood – Good Food, Upcoming Collaborations and Recording With Garth Brooks  - LINK
• Keith Urban goes inside New Album 'Fuse'... The Australia-born singer talks about blending robotic elements with organic music on what he describes as a far-reaching collection of tunes. "I just wanted to let each song be its own thing," Urban says.Fuse, due out September 10th on Hit Red Records/Capitol - Rollingstone
• Scotty McCreery covers Nathan Carter or is it Darius or it is Old Crow Medicine Show on “Wagon Wheel”
• Toby Keith's video for "Crash Here Tonight" (2006), Heather Locklear was his love interest!
• Amber Joy Poulton "Rosalie" #13 debut on Australian Country Tracks chart.
• "On A Bus To St. Cloud" Gretchen Peters with Jimmy LaFave at New York's City Winery
• Linda Ronstadt sings "Adios" by Jimmy Webb

COUNTRY FASHION

Taylor Swift scored major style points at the MTV VMAs for her retro-look curly blonde 'do. Hello, Marilyn - Image

Hayden Panettiere made an appearance on the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ on Wednesday (Aug 28) at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City.

The actress debuted a new brand of blonde ambition with her platinum, stick-straight strands and blunt fringe of bangs. This extreme cut resembled a wig.

She wore an Alexander McQueen mini-dress in the intricate, stained-glass print that’s increasingly becoming a preferred pattern

among the celebrity set. She styled it with audacious Saint Laurent Paris leather ankle cherry booties (image) and a matching bright red lippie.

The Alexander McQueen Stained Dress is available at: Net-A-Porter.com, Browns Fashion, Harrods, Nordstrom and Selfridges.

Her ankle boots were from the Fall 2013 collection featuring red leather, pointed-toe, side elastic panels and 110mm heel. Paris is available online at Barneys, Farfetch, Net-A-Porter and Saint Laurent.

Recently, the 24-year-old actress nabbed an honour for her work to better the planet. The Environmental Media Association recently announced that Hayden and Matt Damon would be celebrated at it's 23rd annual awards show this fall.

COUNTRY GOSSIP

• Doctor's Orders:  The word online is that Keith Urban will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and pop producer Dr. Luke (Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson) at American Idol's judges' table next season. The other rumour circulating is that Randy Jackson may return to replace Jimmy Iovine as the show's in-house mentor. Season 13 premieres Jan. 2014. Although an official announcement is pending by FOX-TV.
• Dierks Bentley is worried his son will follow in his daredevil ways...He took to Twitter to answer fans' questions Tuesday (Aug 27), and quite a few of them wanted to know how Dierks is preparing for the impending arrival of his first son. He already has two daughters with his wife, Cassidy, but Dierks is concerned the boy will be a little daredevil like he was as a kid.Dierks tweeted, "Fairly freaked out about having a boy. I grew up loving fireworks, matches, pellet guns, gasoline…very worried!"
• Brett Eldredge went on a successful skydiving trip in Tullahoma, TN Tuesday in celebration of his debut #1 hit, "Don't Ya." Image
• Jake Owen is addicted to the Sonic Drive-in’s strawberry limeade. He has one everyday.
• The Band Perry Keeps Things Family-Friendly on Stage - "Our favorite thing is when we're in a meet-and-greet and we see a kid and her mother and the grandmother. Like, three generations," says lead singer Kimberly Perry. "I think country music is more about sharing it with each other as friends and family. It is about real life. It feels very, like, blue collar and normal."
• Florida Georgia Line isn't afraid to add a little hip-hop to their country, as evidenced by their hit collaboration with Nelly on the "Cruise (Remix)."  The duo's Tyler Hubbard says more rap collaborations are a definite possibility for FGL in the future. In an interview with ArtistDirect.com, Tyler name checks Lil Wayne as an artist he'd love to share the mic with someday. He says, "That'd be amazing! That's always been a dream of mine to be honest with you.  I'd love to work with Wayne on a song."
• "Pop a Top Again" for a "Good Time" the Jackson daughters DO "Need The Booze To Get A Buzz On"!: Alexandra Jane Jackson, the 20-year-old daughter of country star Alan Jackson has been charged with assault, underage drinking and resisting arrest.
  
  She was arrested after allegedly threatening a Nashville police officer at a traffic stop early Wednesday morning. According to ABC affiliate WKRN, Jackson was the passenger in a Range Rover pulled over for speeding and tailgating. Officers say she appeared to have been highly intoxicated and got out of the car as officers questioned the driver.  She was released on $35,000 bond and is due in court September 23. Alexandra Jackson was spotted at her father's concert at Nashville's Station Inn Tuesday night, though it's not clear if she was drinking at the show. Alan Jackson's oldest daughter, Mattie Jackson, was arrested and charged with DUI in August 2012! 
• Why Harry Styles should TOTALLY choose Iggy Azalea over Leggy Taylor Swift

TWEETS

Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) had an issue with a gossip sheet’s take on developments in his marriage to Miranda Lambert:

“Latest tabloid says Miranda sent me to rehab . . . Incorrect. She sent me to the liquor store!!!”

Country stars’ reviews of the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (Aug 25) were mixed:

Kelly Clarkson @kelly_clarkson Just saw a couple performances from the VMA's last night. 2 words.... #pitchystrippers

Singer Natalie Maines (@1NatalieMaines), referring to Robin Thicke's striped suit: Referees that wear their uniforms to the strip club are creepy.

Whitney Duncan @whitneyduncan From the #VMAs tweets I conclude JT's performance was the best, Miley looked like a dirty hooker, T swift does cuss, & Gaga is weird. Right?

PHOTO

Sarah Darling Long Island, NY concert live at the Dublin Deck Tiki Bar and Grill - Image

Sign's Language: Hunter Hayes knows the best way to pronounce his name in Japanese is to hold up a sign. Hunter made his first trip to Japan this week for performances at Tower Records Shibuya, Tower Records Osaka and a gig with Jason Mraz at Studio Coast in Tokyo - Image

BIRTHDAYS

September 2: Paul Deakin (Mavericks) - (1959)

September 3: Hank Thompson (1925), Tompall Glaser (1933)

September 6: Buddy Miller (1952), Mark Chesnutt (1963), David Alan Coe (1939), Mel McDaniel (1942) 

September 7: Buddy Holly (1936) 

September 8: Harlan Howard (1929), Patsy Cline (1932), Jake Owen (1981)