Country Bites News snippets September 2 - September
8, 2013
SOURCES / LINKS
shown in RED
UK & IRISH News
Starlane's 12 track
debut album "Buckle Up!" is here, with an album launch on Thursday, 26 September 2013 at the Pavillion,
Harbour Street, Broadstairs in Kent. A final studio session and 3 days of
mixing in Ongar is almost complete.
Starlane are a duo comprising UK musicians Sarah Lucy Dole and Brian
Langsdon and have been signed to form a "fantastic band" to show off this album which is written and arranged
by Sarah and Brian.
"Sarah Lucy Dole has one of
the finest Americana voices this country has heard in a long time"
quoted Alan Cackett the editor of Maverick Magazine.
Sarah is a singer-songwriter with a commercial music degree, from
SouthEast London who has played in with a variety of different bands, playing a
wide range of music, from rock 'n' roll to bluegrass. Sarah who hails from
Cheltenham has been praised for her contribution to the music business since
the tender age of sixteen, when she first fronted her country band Buntline
Special, covering songs from her most influential artists such as Dolly Parton,
Crystal Gayle, Billy Jo Spears, Lorrie Morgan, Tanya Tucker and Don Williams.
Over the past 20 years, Brian
Langsdon has had the privilege of working with some great musicians in many
different genres. He enjoys equally both playing and engineering great music –
whether in the studio or live performances. Over the last ten years, Brian has
have been immersed in some truly wonderful British and American Folk, Blues,
and Country music.
Sarah joined Brian Langsdon in 2011, Starlane Country duo were born and
they are creating a big following, and are according to their Facebook Bio set
for Super Stardom!
Starlane are represented by Nikki
Sharon Associates (Artist Management and Development company
specialising in Country & Linedance performers) who also have the lovely
Lisa Stanley and Glenn Rogers on their client list known to fans of The Phil
Mack International Country Show on Showcase TV.
Websites: Artist
Website - About Starlane
- Gig Guide - Facebook
Listen to "Rainmaker" at soundcloud.com and "There You Are" (written by Sally
Barris)
- Take it
to the Mac: Daniel Donnell talks Seany Mac, the 20-year-old from Belcoo in Fermanagh.
- Wayne Jacobs won the UKCountryRadio.com Listeners Clubs Awards for 2013 see separate Blog Post for full report.
- HEM a wonderful
Brocklyn NY band have October dates in the UK: Friday, October 11
(London, Union Chapel), Sunday October 13 (Bath, Komedia Bath), Wednesday
October 16 (Sheffield, Academy 2), Thursday October 17 (Manchester,
Gorilla), Friday, October 18 (Glasgow, Stereo Renfield Lane) and Saturday,
October 19 (Belfast, Belfast Festival at Queens) Buy tickets on Ticketmaster and alt-tickets.co.uk
- Nicki Gillis' new
single ‘Slipping Away’ (written by Max Merritt) featuring Bob Howe has
entered this week’s European Hotdisc Top 40 at #19 with a bullet and
tipped to go top 10 very soon. Catch her on her upcoming "Woman
of Substance" UK tour. (See
Sept/Oct dates)
For further details, Interviews, and Music contact Lee Williams at
Django Promotions: Lee Williams CEO, CMA International Broadcaster of
2013, CMR Nashville/Django Promotions 51 Union Street, Farnborough, Hants
GU14 7 PX UK (Tel: +44 1252 514549
/ Mobile +44 7956 888587/ www.cmrnashville.com)
- Lynne Butler who has
been a presenter on UKCountryRadio.com has left the station. For several
years, in a manner which was light hearted and very well informed, she
presented a blend of "Country, Bluegrass and Beyond" with a
American-themed buffet on her “Butler's Boudoir Bluegrass” show.
- No Mean City (1st -
28th Sept) Glasgow's annual extended fortnight of eclectic roots, blues
and Americana music is here. It's a celebration of contemporary blues,
country and Americana, based in Glasgow. The 2013 event features Kris
Kristofferson, Roddy Hart, Ethan Johns, Junip, Strand of Oaks, The Kat
Men, The Be Good Tanyas, King King, Trevor Moss and Hannah Lou, Raintown,
Ash Before Oak, Johnny Reid, Laetitia Sadier, Joe Pug, Jim White, Caitlin
Rose, The Milk Carton Kids, The Barr Brothers, Daughn Gibson, Dawes and
more.
- Ireby Festival (23rd
& 24th May 2014), northwest edge of the Lake District, is quick off
the mark with tickets for their 2014 event is the annual Cumbrian folk
festival, which will feature Eddi Reader, Martyn Joseph, Eliza Gilkyson,
Amanda Shires, Flats And Sharps, Blackbeard's Tea Party, Marc Block and
more.
- Kacey Musgraves joined Jools Holland and the band in the
studio on Monday Sept 9 at 23:00 on BBC Radio 2. The new country sensation, played
live and picked her favourite records from the likes of Willie Nelson, Lee
Ann Womack, Nickel Creek and Ray Charles. Kacey, who sprang to prominence
this year with her breakthrough hit 'Merry Go Round', has been compared to
a young Dolly Parton and her exceptional songwriting looks set to bring
her a long career in country music. Listen back at bbc.co.uk
- Florida Georgia Line's 24-week US No.1 smash "Cruise" feat. rapper Nelly are now on the BBC Radio 2 “B” playlist once more for a third week after their “A” playlisting run for the week commencing September 7th.
UK CHART NEWS
On the Official UK
Singles Top 100 Chart (Week Ending September 14, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s ” Everything Has Changed” (Mercury)
feat. Ed Sheeran, was down 50-58 in its 16th retail week.
On the Official UK
Albums Top 100 (Week Ending September 14, 2013)
Taylor
Swift’s RED
was down eight slots 49-57 in its 46th chart week.
The Civil Wars,
the alt/Rock/Country duo fell 25 places from No.59 to No.84 in their 5th week.
Official UK
Country Album Chart (Week
Ending September 14, 2013)
Kacey
Musgraves with SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK hops
5-1 to return to the summit in its 21st chart week
Glen
Campbell’s SEE YOU THERE moved 1-2 in
its fourth week. Lady Antebellum dropped 2-3 with GOLDEN (Decca) in
its 18th week and Nathan Carter with WHERE I WANNA BE (Sharpe Music) fell on slot, 3-4, in
his fifth week.
On the Hotdisc Chart
(September 8, 2013 Chart)
Drew Gregory held on to the No.1 spot for a second week despite
the onslought of new entries from the Hotdisc
#177 (Sept 2013) disc which hit the door mats of DJs all over Europe last
week. There was no change at the top of the British & Irish Top 10 either
where Atlanta with
“This Promise” at No.7 on the Top 40
fended off high entries from Fergal Flaherty’s “I Won’t Let You Down” (#12 Top 40, #2 British & Irish) and the Hayley Oliver Band
with “Good Old Days” (#13 Top 40, #3 British & Irish).
In the main Top
40 the highest debut went to Toby Keith with his latest offering, "Drinks After Work" (written by
Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Barry Dean) at No.3 and Lawrence John Project debuts at
No.4 with his self penned “We’re On Our
Way To Heaven”. Chris Higbee’s “Living The Dream” co-written with Tommy Hardin and Doug Stokes made
a bow at No.5 as the follows up his
recent No.1. Josh
Thompson landed inside the Top 10 with “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” while US acts Lost Hollow (“Drifting” at #11), Allan Craig Miller
(“Let’s Get Gone” at #14), Denae Gardner (“Sound Of A Woman Saying Goodbye”
at #15), and Australia’s Nicki Gillis with Bob Howe (“Slipping Away” at
#19) made the Top 20 on their first week of release.
UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(3 Sept 2013) Reckless Kelly - Long Night Moon (No
Big Deal Records)
(3 Sept 2013) Craig Morgan - The Journey (Livin'
Hits) (Black River)
(10 Sept 2013) Keith Urban - Fuse (Capitol) Import CD
(10 Sept 2013) Sheryl Crow (Warner) IMPORT - CD
(10 Sept 2013) Steve Wariner - It Ain’t All Bad
(SelecTone Records)
(10 Sept 2013) Peter Cooper - Opening Day (Red Beet
Records)
10 Trks/ Time: 38:37 CD
(10 Sep 2013) Steep Canyon Rangers - Tell The Ones I
Love (Import)
(10 Sep 2013) The Rigneys - Double or Nothing (Dark
Shadow Recording)
Bluegrass 11 Tracks
CD
(10 Sep 2013) Drew Kennedy - Wide Listener (Atlas
Aurora)
11 Tracks/ 47:46 MP3
(13 Sep 2013) Jimmy Webb - Still Within The Sound Of
My Voice (Membran)
AUSSIE NEWS
Congratulations
to country music star Sam McClymont,
of singing sensations The McClymonts,
who reveals she is now engaged to her Aussie airforce pilot love Ben. Read the
romantic full story of how he popped the question in this week's New Idea
Magazine. Photo
Australian
ex-pat Audrey Auld, now living and
working in America from her base in Nashville, has released a new album titled TONK.
Released on her own Reckless Records label, “Tonk” is described as
"without doubt Audrey's finest work to date".
"Audrey
wears her love for old-school country on her sleeve," said a spokesman for
the artist.
CANADIAN NEWS
At the 31st Canadian Country Music Association
Awards (CCMA’s) Gord Bamford
the crowd favourite headed to the 2013 Country Music Week leading the pack with
seven nominations. He picked up five
2013 CCMA Awards for Album of the Year,
Single of the Year, and CMT Video of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the
Year, and for Record Producer of the
Year.
Dean Brody won the Male Artist of the Year. Kira Isabella won Female Artist of the Year.
Bobby Wills, who his
first-ever CCMA Award win with Rising
Star Award. The
Stellas were recognized as Group
or Duo of the Year. The Fans’ Choice
Award went to Terri Clark. Read the Full
Report and Blog Post here.
The Country Music Hall
of Fame and Museum will exhibit Terri
Clark: Canadian Country Singer Sept. 13 through Dec. 31. Clark will perform
and be interviewed in the Hall's Ford Theater Oct. 12. Read the Press release + The Guide to Country Music Week 2013 -
Edmonton.
NEWS
More
Countrier: Taylor Swift already donated
one of her own, but the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is still in
need of 20 more. Millions of dollars, that is. Yep, it's going to take another
$20 million to complete the museum's expansion from 140,000 square feet to more
than 350,000, which will accommodate the Taylor Swift Education Center, the ACM
Gallery, the CMA Theater, the new Hatch Show Print shop and more. So far, $78
million has been raised; completion is slated for March 2014
Keith Urban likes to get down and mix it up with the crowd. To
celebrate the
Sept. 10 release of his new album FUSE, Keith went honky-tonking on
Nashville's Lower Broad by playing free back-to-back-to-back shows. World
famous Tootsies, Legends Corner and The Stage will hosted the performances.
Keith Urban performed on the NFL Kickoff 2013 pregame show
Thursday night (Sept 5) in Baltimore. Keith performed songs from his brand-new
album, Fuse, from a floating stage in Baltimore's Inner Harbor just before the
defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens took on the Denver Broncos in
Denver. Keith’s performance included "Even the Stars Fall 4 U" and "Little Bit of Everything."
Life Note: Condolences
to up-and-coming artist Cole Swindell
("Chillin' It") on the passing of his father on Sept 2nd. Cole was
Luke Bryan's merch guy before he started writing songs and signed his first
record deal last month. "Lost the greatest man I've ever known
today," Swindell tweeted. "The kind of Dad that made this world a better place"
Toby Keith's next album titled ... wait for it ... DRINKS AFTER WORK.
With titles like "Shut Up And Hold On," "Last Living
Cowboy" and "Show Me What You're Working With," it's a safe bet
plenty of fun times will be had. On the other hand, if you pick up the 13-track deluxe edition, you'll also
find a song called "Chuckie's Gone."
And if you read the liner notes, you'll find a page that reads, "This
album is dedicated
in memory of Chuck Goff, our longtime bandleader-bass player. He
will live on forever in our thoughts and in our performances. We miss ya,
Shmudlo." Goff died in an automobile accident Feb. 27 after serving 25
years on the road with Keith. Sounds like a good reason to raise a glass.
Taylor Swift walked the TIFF red carpet for the premiere of the
movie “One Chance”. The award-winning singer sings “Sweeter Than
Fiction” in the movie which will screen Monday, Sept. 9. One Chance,
the story of singer Paul Potts who was discovered on the television show
Britain’s Got Talent, stars James Corden as Potts. Directed by David Frankel,
the movie debuted Swift’s song.
Taylor Swift may want to pick up the 2014 edition of the Guinness World
Records book (released Sept 12th), because she’ll find her name in
there a few times. Taylor is honoured for having the fastest-selling
digital single, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” which hit
number one on iTunes’ singles chart 50 minutes after its release on August 14,
2012. She’s also recognized as the first solo female artist who has twice sold more
than one million copies of an album during a given week. That
happened during the debut weeks of her last two albums, SPEAK NOW and RED.
George Strait said during Monday's (9/9) press conference announcing the
final leg of The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.
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And while the final
date at the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium home is yet to be set, Strait
doesn't sound like he's quite embraced the notion of finality. "It's going to be
a little bittersweet for me," he said. Support Group: When selecting supporting acts for his final
tour George Strait says, "It was difficult." The picks include Jason Aldean,
Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Ronnie Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town,
Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, and Chris Young. "Some of the acts I've
never worked with before, like Eric Church. I've worked with Jason. We wanted
to get some guys who are really relevant now to come out."
Merle Haggard will also join Strait. "[He's] been one of my main influences throughout my
career, especially to start. He got me into Bob Wills and Western Swing music
with his tribute album to Wills back in the day. And then others we worked with
throughout the years, we just wanted to get together one more time and do a
final blast-off."
FGL does
Dallas: Josh Henderson, who stars as
John Ross Ewing on TNT's Dallas, shot a video with Florida Georgia Line Tuesday in
Nashville for the duo's song, "Stay." Josh tweeted, "Such great
dudes! Comin soon y'all."
Lynn
Swanned: "I'm like an accident
waiting to happen these days," Loretta
Lynn posted on Facebook Friday (9/6). "I was trying to get my guitar down out of my
closet and the dang thing fell on top of me causing me to fall into my dresser."
Lynn broke two ribs and was forced to cancel her weekend shows in Pokola and
Durant, OK. "I hate more than anything to have to miss shows," she
said, "but it's something you just have to do. I just hope everyone comes
back to see me in OK." The dates have been rescheduled for Dec. 29 and 30,
respectively.
Brad Paisley’s in talks with Sony Pictures to make a big screen
movie based on his song, ‘I Can’t Change the World.’
TV
- American Idol ended last season with a judge's chair
cliffhanger. Producers and the network were rumored to be cleaning house,
but Keith Urban signed back on
early and Tuesday (9/3) Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr. finalized
their deals to join him. Former judge Randy Jackson spent a few months
trying to find a hobby before deciding to come back to the show. He
replaces Jimmy Iovine in the role of mentoring the performers. Season 13
premieres Jan. 2014 on FOX-TV.
- Almost Famous: ABC-TV's country music drama Nashville
will face some real-life
competition this fall as A&E (the television network responsible
for Duck Dynasty) has ordered eight episodes of Crazy Hearts: Nashville.
The hour-long reality show will follow the lives of aspiring country music
artists as they work towards personal and career success.
TOURS
- Brett Eldredge, who recently celebrated his first No. 1 hit single, “Don’t Ya,”
is continuing the momentum with his first-ever headlining club tour. The “Bring You
Back” Fall 2013 Tour commences in the Midwest in October and
includes an already sold-out hometown show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Oct.
5.
- David Nail
has his fall tour schedule lined up beginning in Davie, FL Sept. 12.
Thirty dates run through Nov. 22. More here.
AWARDS
- Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Ed Helms, Ken Burns join Americana Honors & Awards
Sept. 18. The Association’s Festival and Conference has revealed the full presenter and
performer lineup for its 12th Annual Honors & Awards Show, which is
set to take place on Wednesday, September 18 at Nashville’s Ryman
Auditorium. The event will include performances by Robert Hunter, Old Crow
Medicine Show, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Richard
Thompson, John Fullbright, Shovels & Rope, Milk Carton Kids, JD
McPherson, Mike Bub, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, Holly Williams and
Duane Eddy. Original Buffalo Springfield members Stephen Stills and
Richard Furay will also come together to play the band’s iconic song “For
What It’s Worth,” and third-generation musician Holly Williams will offer
a tribute to her late grandfather Hank Williams Sr.
- Conqueroo has ten artists converging upon next week's Americana Music Festival & Conference starting Wed. 18th
September to Sat. 21st Sept 2013 - Image
- SESAC is set to honor the top songwriters and publishers in
the Country and Americana genres at the 2013 SESAC Nashville Music Awards.
The awards ceremony is set for Sunday, Nov. 3 at the newly
expanded Country Music Hall of Fame.
- The nominees for the 47th Annual Country
Music Association Awards were announced live Tuesday morning on
ABC's Good Morning America (At the GMA studios (1500 Broadway at 44th St.,
NYC). Sheryl Crow, Florida Georgia Line and Steve Warnier Image were on hand to make the announcements. Luke Bryan is a first-time nominee
in the Entertainer of the Year category, along with previous Entertainer
nominee Jason Aldean and previous winners in that category Taylor Swift,
Blake Shelton and George Strait. Kacey
Musgraves and Taylor Swift
are the lead
nominees with six nods apiece (see list). Read more at dailymail.co.uk , Complete
Report: 2013 CMA Awards Nominations Announced Read
the Full Blog Post here
SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
- George Ducas, singer /
songwriter and recording artist will officially release his independent album
entitled 4340 (Loud Records) on October
29, 2013. The highly anticipated grouping of thoughtful ballads, playful
up-tempos and honky tonk must-haves is his first full-length release since
his critically acclaimed Capitol Records recording projects GEORGE DUCAS
and WHERE I STAND.
- The Randy Rogers Band is set to record another live album. Their first in
eight years! The big event is
happening over two nights in October at John T. Floore’s Country Store in
Helotes. Site of Robert Earl Keen’s
seminal Live No. 2 Dinner.
- Christmas
is coming a bit early this year for Kelly
Clarkson.The superstar is releasing her first holiday album, WRAPPED IN RED, on Oct. 29th. Wrapped in Red will feature collaborations with country superstars Reba and Trisha Yearwood as well as Ronnie Dunn, who revealed that he has a hand in the project on his Facebook page earlier this summer.
- Band of Heathens "Sunday Morning Record" (BOH), Tommy Keene "Excitement at Your Feet" (Second
Motion) and Tim O'Brien &
Darrell Scott "Memories & Moments" (Full Skies) are all
PR Conqueroo's CD releases on September 17, 2013 with Waylon Jennings "Old 97s" (Omnivore) EP out Oct
1,2013 and Woody Guthrie
"American Radical Patriot" (Rounder) due to drop October 22,2013
followed by a 2-CD set Buck Owens
"Buck 'Em" (Omnivore) on November 5, 2013 (details) - Full details on Facebook
PRESS RELEASES
- Elizabeth Montgomery will celebrate the release of her new album,
“Singing the Sky Blue,” with a release party at Dance World of
Nashville on September 15th.
- Steve Wariner
released IT AIN’T ALL BAD on Sept.
10th. His first new, non-instrumental album in more than eight years.
Wariner performed two songs from It Ain't All
Bad and announced the 2013 CMA Broadcast Award nominees live on www.CMAawards.com
- The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a formidable opponent,
however, when it comes to grass-roots organizing. It has more than 4
million members who feel passionately about gun rights. Nearly 90 percent
of NRA members oppose the banning
semi-automatic weapons. Country music has aligned itself with NRA via
their “Artists of the Month”. Some of country music’s biggest artists have
teamed up with NRA Country which is a campaign launched by the gun
organization that features country music artists “involved in causes that
defend our values.” Well NRA Country have kept a very low profile but they
are back: “This Is NRA Country” announces Tyler Farr as Artist of the Month for September just weeks
away from his highly anticipated debut album release, REDNECK CRAZY, featuring his
hit single and title track, he joins some of country music’s biggest
artists in teaming up with NRA Country to celebrate his support of our
brave men and women in uniform, appreciation for the great outdoors, and
love of family.
- Kenny Rogers
returns with YOU CAN’T MAKE OLD FRIENDS on October 8th
via Warner Bros. The album reunites Rogers with long-time friend and
collaborator, Dolly Parton, for a brand new duet on the opening title
track, “You Can’t Make Old Friends.” See track listing and tour dates
- Restless Heart will deck the halls with a brand new Christmas album. A RESTLESS
HEART CHRISTMAS (Red River Entertainment) is set to hit retail
store shelves on October 29, 2013.
- Gretchen Wilson will be featured in ESPN’s telecasts of the 10
races in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which begins with the
Sunday, Sept. 15, event at Chicagoland Speedway
- Open Road Recordings celebrated a decade of Canadian
country milestones with the latest single (“Bounty”) by the chart topping Dean Brody, in advance of his
fourth album, CROP CIRCLES, set for a November 5 release and the launch of
the debut album (Throw Down) by fast-rising country artist, Tim Hicks.
- Country duo Branch & Dean are gaining momentum following the recent
signing of a management contract with Erv Woolsey. Fans can read about the Florida natives
in Chuck Dauphin's current BILLBOARD.com "The 615" feature.
- George Strait
joined the Dallas Cowboys on the field
Sunday night, Sept. 8, when they open the season against the New York
Giants at AT&T Stadium.
- BUCK ’EM, a Definitive 2-CD set of Buck
Owens’ Musical Evolution From 1955–67, due out
November 5 On Omnivore Recordings.
- Sara Evans’
first single in a year “Slow Me Down” is now available at all digital
retailers. The single, was produced by Evans and Mark Bright (Reba
McEntire, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood). “Slow Me Down” is the
first single from her forthcoming album set for release early next year. UK iTunes
- Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander returns to host 2013 Inspirational
Country Music Awards. Performers to include reigning ICM
Entertainer Chuck Day, Guy Penrod with special guest Sarah Darling and
Mary James & Jamie O’Neal.
- Jo Dee Messina announced Canadian Tour; APA Booking
upcoming Tour in support of new single "Peace Sign"
- George Strait
announced 2014 Dates for final leg of
the Cowboy Rides Away Tour >> Video
- Craig Morgan
Charity event ...Country stars Aaron Lewis and Tate Stevens and Motocross
Stars line up for Ride and Concert September
14 in Dickson.
- Bluegrassers The Roys return to host the Ernest Tubb
Midnite Jamboree, on Sept 14, 2013.
- The full list of 2013 Canadian
Country Music Association Awards (CCMA) Award winners announced:
- Toby Keith
set DRINKS
AFTER WORK album for Oct. 29 Deluxe Edition includes three Bonus tracks.
- Dean Brody
crowned as 2013 CCMA Male Artist of
the Year
- The Band Perry announced more North America 2014
dates for We Are Pioneers World Tour
- The new album FROG TROUBLE featuring 12 songs (Ben Folds, Brad
Paisley, Kacey Musgraves, Fountains of Wayne, Darius Rucker, Alison Krauss
and more) by cartoonist and author Sandra Boynton is out.
- Hear and buy new music from the Steep Canyon Rangers on Rounder
Records.
- The Howlin’ Brothers will release a fun EP of six songs they recorded
in May of this year at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, the Sun Studio
Session EP (Thirty Tigers) is out October 15th in the U.S and Canada.
Their first nationally distributed album, HOWL was released to critical
acclaim, reached No. 6 on the Americana Music radio chart.
- Big Machine Label Group Newsletter (Sept 10, 2013)
ARTICLES
- CMA Close Up Songwriter Shop Talk
with Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann ..At a small studio just off of Music Row,
Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann settled down on a couple of stools, shared a
few jokes, tuned up their guitars and started playing some songs they had
written together.
- Baltimore Sun Alan Jackson Says
There’s “No Country Stuff Left” …Extract: Ahead of his performance at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in
Baltimore, Alan Jackson had some discouraging words about the current
state of country music in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. The Grand
Ole Opry member, winner of 2 Grammys, 16 CMA’s, and performer of 35 #1
hits said:Right now, it seems like it’s gone. It’s not that I’m against
all that’s out there. There’s some good music, good songwriting and good
artists out there, but there’s really no country stuff left. It’s always
been that constant pop-country battle. I don’t think it’s ever going to
change. What makes me sad today is that I think the real country, real
roots-y traditional stuff, may be gone. I don’t know if it’ll ever be back
on mainstream radio. You can’t get it played anymore.
- Billboard: The
Band Perry's "Lonely" has plenty of Pop Company
- Billboard: Jo
Dee Messina Takes 'Scary as Crap' Leap on Crowd-Sourced Album.....Add Jo Dee Messina's name to the
growing list of established artists who are bucking the industry standard
of working with a major label, and doing things their own way. The singer
-- who charted twenty-three singles on the Billboard charts between 1996
and 2009 -- has just released a new single, "Peace Sign," on her
own Dreambound label. When asked how it felt to be on her own -- the
bubbly singer was very honest.
- The Guardian: Kacey
Musgraves: 'I don't want to be the McDonald's of music' ..Are casual sex, gay love and smoking
pot suitable subjects for country music? Kacey Musgraves thinks so – and
she's set to bring the genre to a whole new audience
- CMT Edge: JD
McPherson finds the soul in Alabama’s “Why Lady Why”
- The Tennessean Peter Cooper On Music: Sheryl Crow fine-tunes her country sound...Crow is among that lot of people, and
“Feels Like Home” is neither a tentative toe into the country pool nor a
nostalgic nod to classic, California-country albums like The Byrds’
“Sweetheart of the Rodeo” or Linda Ronstadt’s “Heart Like a Wheel.” The
new album is a full-on dive into the contemporary country deep end,
co-written with Music Row pros including Paisley, Luke Laird, Chris
DuBois, Natalie Hemby and Chris Stapleton ....
INTERVIEWS
- Introducing…LeAnn Rimes
- Radio.com New Music To Know:
Chris Stapleton Steps Into The
Spotlight With Solo Debut....the man behind many hit country songs
you’ve heard before, including Kenny Chesney‘s “Never Wanted Nothing
More,” George Strait‘s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright,” Darius Rucker‘s
“Come Back Song,” and Josh Turner‘s “Your Man,” all of which went to No.
1. His songs have been recorded by many others, too, including Brad
Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Tim McGraw, and he has a song (“Drink a Beer”)
on Luke Bryan’s new album Crash My Party. Now Stapleton is stepping out on
his own as a solo artist with the release of his new single “What
Are You Listening To.”
- Radio.com Essentials: Perusing the Classic Country Stacks
With Sheryl Crow....Just because Sheryl Crow’s transition into the
country music world is relatively recent doesn’t mean she doesn’t have strong
opinions about the genre. The Missouri-bred singer/songwriter grew up
listening to country, after all — roots that show on her new album, Feels
Like Home. When Crow sat down recently with Radio.com and perused their vinyl collection
- Radio.com Q&A: Keith Urban Talks About His New Album
‘Fuse,’ Songwriting & Playing Live
- Stewart
Fenwick interviews Nathan Carter
(Sunday Sept 8, 2013 Celtic Country Part 2 Podcast)
BOOKS
Omnivore Recordings is saying, “Buck,
yeah!” to the legacy of the late Mr.
Buck Owens. Though the Bakersfield, California country-and-western legend
died in 2006, his autobiography will arrive on November 5 from
Backbeat Books and Hal Leonard Books.
Colorfully entitled Buck ‘Em!, it’s co-written with Randy Poe, author of
Skydog: The Duane Allman Story. And
Omnivore is at the ready with the perfect soundtrack. Buck ‘Em! The Music of Buck Owens (1955-1967)
hits stores the very same day as the book, for the full Buck reading and
listening experience!
The new 2-CD, 50-track deluxe anthology follows numerous other Omnivore
projects from the Buck Owens/Buckaroos stable
Read the Press Release for details and track
listings
MAGAZINES
Classic Rock have had AOR/Blues/Prog and now a Country mag.
Johnny Cash, LeAnn Rimes, Tony Joe White and many more big names are featured in the debut edition of Classic Rock Presents Country Music
Magazine published on September 11 (£7.99).
Their cover
feature marks the tenth anniversary of Cash’s death by looking at how the Man
In Black fought back from depression, drug addiction and suicidal thoughts to
record his two greatest albums At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin, which made
him an icon and even outsold the Beatles at the time. - More Details
LISTEN
- Sheryl Crow:
FEELS LIKE
HOME sample at Amazon.com Standouts:
"Shotgun"
"Waterproof Mascara", "Homesick",
"Homecoming Queen", "Stay At Home Mother"
- Hear redheaded redcoat Karen Elson's take on the Civil War ballad 'Dixie'
while country duo the Secret Sisters — a.k.a. Laura and Lyrdia Rogers —
pitch in for the harmony. DIVIDED & UNITED (out Nov 5), a double
album of Civil War-era songs brought to modern day with help from the
likes Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Lee Ann Womack, and more.
- Patricia Vonne "Dark Mile" The song, from her
self-released fifth album, Rattle My Cage, sounds like a Spaghetti Western theme
drenched in authentic Tex-Mex, like you’d hear in a Quentin Tarantino or
Robert Rodriguez film.
- Stream Chris Young's new album A.M., his fourth on amazon.com (Standouts:
"Goodbye", "Who I Am With You", "Text Me
Texas")
- Hear 67-year young Jimmy Webb’s guest star-packed
album STILL
WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY VOICE at American Songwriter ..The guest list
includes Lyle Lovett, Keith Urban, and Amy Grant, while top-shelf pickers
like Paul Franklin and Jerry Douglas handle the instrumental parts.
- Miss Leslie
"Its Rainin' Inside"
- Karyn Williams "Ordinary Angels" at Christian
radio co-written By Victoria Banks, Emily Shackelton & Phil Barton.
- Country Music: America's Labor Day Playlist Party Spotify
- August 27 saw the Show
Dog/Universal release of "Alabama & Friends," and Sept. 17
will see the premiere of "HIGH COTTON: A TRIBUTE TO ALABAMA" on
Lightning Rod Records. For the 40th anniversary of Country Music
supergroup Alabama an eclectic group of artists are involved with the
project, ranging from legendary gospel blues group The Blind Boys Of
Alabama to Americana favorites Elizabeth Cook and Todd Snider to gritty
Memphis rockers Lucero to country soul shouter JD McPherson and Asleep At
The Wheel front man Ray Benson. The winding track listing of Alabama's
catalog take listeners through Texas heroes like Wade Bowen and Jason
Boland and the Stragglers to Generation Y performers like Jessica Lea
Mayfield and her ethereal rendition of "I'm In A Hurry." Old
Crow Medicine Show showcase the number one song "Dixieland Delight.
Stream the whole album (14 sounds, Time: 54.27) on soundcloud or Billboard.com See Track listing http://lightningrodrecords.com/news.php
FREE DOWNLOADS
Sandra Boynton is a popular American cartoonist and children’s
book author and has been nominnated for a Grammy for the Philadelphia Chickens
album.
FROG
TROUBLE is her first Country Music album. Free downloads includes
three amazing songs (192kbps MP3's) Kacey Musgraves "Heartache", Ryan
Adams "When Pigs Fly" and Ben Folds "Broken Piano" plus full-color
illustrated lyric sheets for each song!
Watch the making of the album video and
get the tracks for an email share at
WATCH
- Donna Ulisse
"This Is My Father's World" the
song appears on recent release "I Am A Child of God-A Gospel
Collection". The song reflects the connection Donna feels with God
and the nature around her. Bryan Sutton (guitar) co-produced the track,
Jeff Taylor plays penny whistle and accordion and The Isaacs added harmonies.
- Take an exclusive look at Ashley Monroe's acoustic rendition
of one album highlight, the cheeky "Weed Instead of Roses," performed
in New York as a duet with Train frontman Pat Monahan. "It's always
a fun song to sing," Monroe tells Rolling Stone. "Having Train play
it and Pat sing with me was really special. Especially when Pat sang, 'I'm trading
in these boxers for some sexy underwear.'"
- Kelly Clarkson In The Studio: The Making of "Tie It Up"
- Behind the scenes of Taylor Swift's
week at Staples Center (Warning Doesn't
Contain Country) -
- Compass Records has released a
music video to promote the September 24 release of their debut album with The Bankesters, "Love Has Wheels"
- Jessta James
“If That Ain’t Country” – premiered on
the Huffington Post. The clip was lensed by David Hogan (Sheryl Crow, Bob
Seger), who thoroughly evokes the modern Wild West vibe of Jessta’s
Montana lifestyle.
New to Me: Brinley Addington "Hang On A Farm" & "As Long As You Love Me" written and
performed by Brinley Addington from his album, "Homegrown," which is
available on UK iTunes and US iTunes and Amazon.
Born and raised
in Kingsport, Tennessee, Brinley Addington’s passion for Country music began
well before the small town singer can even remember. Since 2007, Brinley has
had the honor of opening shows for several major artists such as Chris Young,
Josh Turner, The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Florida-Georgia Line, Eli Young
Band, Thompson Square, Jerrod Niemann, Gavin DeGraw, Marty Stuart, John Michael
Montgomery, as well as Texas favorites Jack Ingram, Roger Creager, and the
Casey Donahew Band, and has served as headliner at numerous fairs, festivals,
and college events in the southeast. Brinley’s first full-length album
Homegrown debuted in May of 2011 produced the two music videos.
”Better on a Boat” is Addington's latest single,
released on August 13th, a fun summer song he co-wrote his buddy Chris
Cavanaugh.
Brinley continues
to workn in the studio on new music.
He opened for
Gretchen Wilson on Friday August 23rd at the Appalachian Fair, and will for
Eric Paslay on September 20th in Jeffersonville.
Fans can keep
up with Brinley Addington on Facebook
and Twitter. The single, “Better On A Boat” is
on UK & US iTunes / Amazon UK. Be part of Brinley’s “Better On
A Boat” campaign by uploading a picture of yourself
doing something on a boat!
Carrie Underwood at a concert in Texas on Thursday night, proved
the combination of 5-inch stilettos and a long flowy shirt is dangerous
if you’re a singer who stomps for emphasis.
Watch her hit the floor in the video and,
well, you can read the headline. Equally impressive: how she handled it
afterward on Twitter. Here’s hoping she can feel her toes now (and appreciate
how funny it is that she was performing “Undo It” at the time).
Hey, remember
that time in Corpus Christi when that girl busted her butt on stage?!
Hilarious! Oh wait, that was me! #5inchheels #klutz — Carrie Underwood
(@carrieunderwood) September 6, 2013
Turns out after
the serious tumble Carrie had sprained her foot and had to be taken to hospital
for treatment.
While Carrie
was unable to undo her own faux pas, ever the professional, she carried on
singing and finished the live show despite being in a great amount of pain. The
'American Idol' winner was later diagnosed with a sprained ankle and doctors
have ordered her to wear a protective boot while she heals. She went to the
doctor and tweeted, "good news, it's not broken" but she is wearing a
splint.
COUNTRY FASHION
LeAnn Rimes was spotted at LAX Airport, LA wearing a SMYTHE
reissue schoolboy blazer, Isabel Marant ‘Bekett’ printed wedge sneaker and Stella McCartney
‘Falabella’ tote. – Fashion Pic
Shop:SMYTHE
Blazer, Shopbop.com, Neiman Marcus
Julianne Hough out & about, in LA was spotted wearing a Theyskens’ Theory
abstract print dress and Rag & Bone ‘Harrow’ booties. Shop: Neiman Marcus - Fashion Pic
Taylor Swift took photos with fans at Club RED in Tacoma
recently wearing a sold out Kate Spade Meagan Sweater and a Modcloth
Countdown To Casual Skirt ($47.99). Shop: Modcloth.com - Fashion Pic
Taylor Swift was seen out shopping with Romeo & Juliet
actress Hailee Steinfeld in West
Hollywood, CA on Sept 5, 2013
Donning a True Birds
‘Magnifying Glass Pendant’ - $48.00 with breezy Free People-inspired hippie
fashion with minimal makeup and loose hair. - Image
With Keith
Urban busy promoting his new album in The States his wife Nicole Kidman was on her own when she arrived at the Roy Thomson Hall for “The Railway Man” 2013 Toronto International
Film Festival (TIFF) Premiere on Fri. Sept 6, 2013. The Aussie stunner wore a
black Altuzarra
Resort 2014 suit and Louis Vuitton shoes. The blazer featured lace
detailing while the cropped trousers draws focus to her pewter pumps ading a
playful touch to her look. She wore her hair styled into a low bun with flawless
makeup including a vibrant pink lip colour. - Fashion Pic - gettyimages
Kellie Pickler shares her obsession with Jeans in the new issue
of US Weekly. The DWTS 2013 champ whose fourth
album, “The Woman I Am” drops November 12th, models the latest denim trends.
“I’m obsessed
with jeans. I mean I grew up country!” Kellie tells Us. “I could never be one of those trophy wives who wears
evening gowns around the house. I’m a casual kind of gal!” - Photo
Julia Roberts attended the ‘August: Osage County’ premiere
during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival held at Roy Thomson Hall
wearing a red Dolce
& Gabbana frock with lace
embroidery detailing which she styled with nude accessories.
She wore Gucci Lisbeth
peep-toe pumps (image) These heels are from the Spring 2013
collection featuring pinky nude patent leather, three slim straps, 5.25"
heel and 1" platform. Gold leaf earrings and a loose updo completed her
momentous look – Fashion Pic. She later met up with her pal
Miss Taylor Swift.
Julia and Tay,
the two leggy stunners celebrated the premiere of Roberts' new
film on Sept. 9 at Grey Goose's bash at Soho House. Roberts, her red Dolce
& Gabbana number, and Swift, in a white Calvin Klein dress, even slipped
into a photo booth
together for a
series of candids! - Photo
Taylor Swift attended the “One Chance” 2013 Toronto
International Film Festival (TIFF) Premiere on Sept 9, 2013, she helped to
support it and director David Frankel as she wrote and performed the song
“Sweeter Than Fiction” for the movie’s ending credits. “One Chance” is the story of singer Paul Potts (James Corden)
who was discovered on the television show Britain’s Got Talent and will feature
a new song from Taylor called “Sweeter Than Fiction
Taylor sported
two looks (image):
a) Guess
Portrait Studio: The 23-year-old RED songstress donned black Christian Louboutin
‘Lagoula’ patent T-bar sandals (image) and
Cathy Waterman
diamond jewelry including marquise-shaped drop earrings (image). The pop/country singer here was
beautiful in blue wearing an Oscar de la Renta Resort 2014 blue silk-faille
embroidered dress with a scoop neckline. Soft makeup and red lacquered nails
completed her look- Fashion Pic
b) At the ‘One
Chance’ premiere: She opted for a sexy custom-made high-neck Calvin Klein
Collection ivory silk crepe sleeveless dress with symmetrical waist cut-outs
which showed off her enviable figure - Facebook.
Photos:
She styled her hair into a purposefully slightly messy ponytail, accessorizing with silver drop earrings and gold sandals. She “rock the hell” out of this dress maintaining a so statuesque look. She wore Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-strap sandals (Image). These Spring 2013 shoes feature shimmery metallic silver leather, slim ankle-strap and metal plated heel counter.
Zimbio;
Giuseppe Zanotti,
Style.com;
Christian Louboutin,
Getty Images
Giuseppe Zanotti,
Style.com;
Christian Louboutin,
Getty Images
She styled her hair into a purposefully slightly messy ponytail, accessorizing with silver drop earrings and gold sandals. She “rock the hell” out of this dress maintaining a so statuesque look. She wore Giuseppe Zanotti ankle-strap sandals (Image). These Spring 2013 shoes feature shimmery metallic silver leather, slim ankle-strap and metal plated heel counter.
Taylor’s hair
was styled in a ponytail with several braided strands and she also accessorized
with Cathy Waterman
COUNTRY GOSSIP
Gwyneth Paltrow "wouldn't mind" having bigger boobs.
The 'Iron Man 3' actress and “Country Strong” singer is happy with her figure
and looks, but if she had to change anything about her body she'd boost
her boobs from a 34B size bra. She said: "If I could change one thing? Nothing. Not
because I think I'm beautiful, but I think I look the way I do for a reason. I
wouldn't mind
bigger boobs though."
While she's
happy with her physical features, the Hollywood star - who is married to
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin - is convinced her nose is getting bigger!
Vince Gill's Sunday night concert in Kansas City, MO was picketed by members of the Topeka, KS-based
Westboro
Baptist Church, and a new YouTube
video shows Vince actually taking on the picketers. One of the women from the church accuses
Vince of committing adultery with his wife Amy Grant since they were both
previously married to other people. Vince said they were lucky they didn't have
a sign saying anything about Amy. He also
told them, "I came out here to see what hate
looks like" before calling one them a "dips**t."
According to the information posted along with the video, Vince reportedly
slapped one of the picketer's phones before returning to the concert venue.
Keith Urban says Sexy Songs on "Fuse" Are "Reflective of the
Marriage I'm In" A lot of Keith Urban's songs are inspired by
his wife, Nicole Kidman, so it's safe to assume she's the muse for some of the
sexier tracks on his new album, Fuse, now in stores. Keith sings about
dangerous, spontaneous love on new songs like "Cop Car" and the #1
hit, "Little Bit of Everything." When asked directly about those
songs, Keith tells ABC News Radio with a big laugh, "[They're] just probably reflective of the
marriage I'm in, actually. That's
where we are!"
Has Taylor Swift met her latest mate? Attending the TIFF screening of One
Chance at a private party held at Soho House the Grammy-winning phenom made the
acquaintance of a handsome newcomer.
Swift and actor Brenton Thwaites chatted for an hour in a booth together "making each other
laugh," an onlooker tells Us Weekly. At the film fest to promote his
flick Oculus, the Australian young star, 24, "had his arm around her back,"
the witness adds. "She touched his leg a few times. They seemed very into
each other."
Lucy Hale and boyfriend Graham
Rogers have broken up, a source confirms to
Us Weekly. The 24-year-old “Pretty Little
Liars” star/country music newbie and 22-year-old Revolution actor have called
it quits after about three months of dating. Hale first confirmed her
relationship with Rogers to Us Weekly in June at NYC's Bongo Boutique. "He
is such a sweetheart," she gushed.
"We are
having a good time." Hale's ex-boyfriends include The Amazing Spider-Man's
Chris Zylka, former Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie and The Cab
keyboardist Alex Marshall. Break-up country songs now on the way?
PHOTO
Sarah Darling - Attended a beautiful wedding last night! The
guests arrived on this!!! - Image
No Pictures
Please: Keith Urban and Steven Tyler
'Walk This Way" at Tootsies Friday night (9/6) - Image
BIRTHDAYS
Sept 8: Hannah Bethel
Sept 10: Rosie Flores
(1950)
Sept 12: George Jones
(1931; died, aged 81; April 26, 2013)
Sept 13: Bobbie
Cryner (1961) Bill Monroe
(1911), Pat Algar (1947), Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts)
(1975)
Sept 14: John Berry
(1959)
Sept 15: Raylene
Rankin (Rankins) (1960; died Sept 30, 2012)
Roy Acuff (1902; died, age 89, Nov 23, 1992)
R.I.P
Fern Miller widow (wife of 67 years) of the popular Omaha, Nebraska mandolinist, Lyle Miller, passed away August 29th,
2013.
Miller, Fern R.
(Apr 24, 1920 - Aug 29, 2013) Age 93. Born near O'Neill, NE on April 24, 1920,
and died in Omaha on August 29, 2013. Worked as a teacher in O'Neill/Holt
County Public Schools, and as office manager at Jubilee Manufacturing during
WWII, and later at Paramont Furniture. In retirement, she helped develop the
Omaha Heartland Senior Center, where she volunteered for 25 years and served in
leadership. With her husband, Lyle, she was active in area Bluegrass and
Country Music organizations for 50 years. Mandolinist Lyle passed away in June
at the age of 96.
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