Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Country Bites News snippets September 23 - September 29, 2013

Country Bites News snippets September 23 - September 29, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band, Dixie Chicks, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley & Chris Young are confirmed to appear across the huge two-day weekend for Country to Country 2014 (#C2C2014) with more artists to be announced! The music festival extravaganza takes place at The O2 on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2014. Tickets go on sale 9am Friday 11th October.
Read the full Blog post for details.

Taylor Swift the 23-year old seven-time GRAMMY winner announced on Sept 30th that she will be painting London RED in February 2014 with 3 dates at London’s The O2  Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd and Tuesday 4th February 2014.
Tickets will be priced from £37.50.
Tickets for the RED Tour at The O2 Arena in London will be available Wednesday, October 2nd at 9AM BST in a pre-sale for members of Taylor’s email list). Act fast! Only a limited number of tickets will be available for pre-sale and they will be sold on a first-come basis. Purchase fan pre-sale tickets at tickets.axs.com
** Tickets will then be available to purchase from:
 9am on Friday 4th October via Ticketmaster UK or by phone on 08448 24 48 24. Exclusive VIP Experiences and packages will also be available.

See the press release at http://taylorswift.com/REDLondon2014  for more details
It seams as though the news was leaked in the Glamour UK magazine with a stop press footnote when the magazine reported that the singer was coming – instagram.com Image - Image Apparently the magazine was supposed to be released on Tuesday.
WIN tickets to celebrate Glamour’s fabulous November cover star they’re giving away 5 pairs of tickets to her show at The O2, London on 4th February 2014 - www.glamourmagazine.co.uk

The Smith and Rogers Country show hosted by Glenn Rogers and Henry Smith is coming to Sky 191 & Freesat 400 every Sunday at 11am from the 1st December 2013.
Created by Glenn Rogers & Henry Smith, the show aims to provide a solid platform to promote Country Music in the UK and beyond. Filmed with a live audience at the fantastic Pentney Country Club, in Norfolk, the show features British Performers recorded live, laced with great videos from around the world. Visit smithandrogerscountryshow

Emily Barker the UK based but hailing from Bridgetown, Western Australia, singer-songwriter, who with her band The Red Clay Halo blend classical, rock, country and folk influence have released three critically acclaimed albums, played a string of sold-out UK dates, performed with Frank Turner at the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony and written the Bafta and Ivor Novello award-winning themes to hit BBC dramas Wallander and The Shadow Line.
Now they are set to release the new double A-side single Called “Ghost Narrative” on Tuesday on 6th October (UK iTunes) on Linn Records to coincide with the band's biggest ever UK tour which starts Thurs 10th Oct (The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen) to
Friday 22nd Nov (Folk House, Bristol). It includes their biggest headline show ever at Shepherds Bush Empire (Wed 16 Oct - £15adv)! Emily, personally picked by Bob Harris joined him at the BBC Introducing showcase in Nashville on Friday 20th September as part of the Americana music festival.
Listen to the new version of “Ghost Narrative” at Soundcloud:

Starlane's album launch for "Buckle Up!" took place on Thursday, 26 September 2013 at the Pavilion, Harbour Street, Broadstairs in Kent. Starlane who are a duo comprising UK musicians Sarah Lucy Dole (lead vocals) and Brian Langsdon (banjo, eclectic guitar, slide) .
Click to ENLARGE
They were joined for a full band by:  Diane Dunn (acoustic guitar, backing vocals), Samuel Hearle (keys), Jon Smith (bass, acoustic bass), Fiouse Sheol Corbeil (vocals, acoustic guitar), David Ferra (acoustic/National guitar), Tim Starke (drums) and Nigel Feist (harmonica for one number). To celebrate the launch of their album, they decided to promote two charities that were close to them, The British Heart Foundation and Pilgrims Hospice
Check out a big gallery of photos from the night and rehearsals in this Facebook Gallery take by area51photography.co.uk

The Good Intentions (Comprised of Gabrielle Monk, Francesco Roskell, and R. Peter Davies) released their third album "Travelling Companion" on April 22nd 2013 with the “intention” to give their music more exposure in the United States. "It’s an eclectic mix of Country, Bluegrass, and Folk, with a dash of pop sensibilities thrown in for good measure  It all comes out to a neat musical mixture that is rich both lyrically and in musical texture. Their music is best defined by the light and east sounds of “Gold Watch and Chain,” where they make it look almost effortless. That trend continues on the gripping story song “Colfax Town,” as well as the sad and forlorn “A Driver’s Farewell.” writes Billboard's Chuck Dauphin in his review.
The album was made in Los Angeles with the producer Rick Shea and several guest musicians.
“If you can have such a thing as the perfect British Americana sound, they’ve got it” - Alan Cackett (Maverick Magazine)

Laura Cantrell, the Nashville-born, New York City-based singer-songwriter has released her new album No Way There From Here (Spit & Polish/Cadiz Music) debuting at No.2 on the UK Official Country Album chart ahead of its January 2014 release in America. Produced by Cantrell and Mark Nevers, the 12-track album was recorded in Nashville’s acclaimed Beech House studios and features writing collaborations with Tracyanne Campbell (Camera Obscura), Amy Allison and Franklin Bruno, as well as guest musicians Jim Lauderdale and Kenny Vaughan - CD - MP3 - Uk iTunes (Top Tracks: "When It Comes to You", "Barely Said a Thing", "Starry Skies") Stream new song "Starry Skies" at American Songwriter.
Recently she played two special performances as part of the Americana Music Festival. 
In October, she will embark on a series of UK dates including the Glasgow Americana Festival (St. Andrews In The Square with special guest Darden Smith) on October 4th and a show at London’s Union Chapel on October 10th. See a list of dates.
Listen back to a 30 min skype interview with Laura broadcast on Sept 29th with Stewart Fenwick on Part 2. of his Country show on Celtic Music Radio 1530AM - Podcast

Listen to an edited live studio interview on Sunday Sept 22 as Stewart Fenwick talks to lovely Canadian and Nashville based Ashley Robertson with clips from her past albums, latest album and plays live on Celtic Music Radio.



UKCountryRadio.com's spotlight UK Artists for October are Thorne Hill (Oct 4-6), Jonny Williams (Oct 11-13), Linda Pearce (Oct 18-20) and Speed Limit (Oct 25-27). 

The station congratulated Rawley Taylor, whose latest single "The Country Rap" has made it into the CMG charts (Note: International Radio Airplay Charts are made up of CMG Radio Club Members Only!)
"The Country Rap" remains at No.1. on UKCountryRadio.com’s Most Heard song chart. 
Is this doing country music and the station any favours? Listen to the track at soundcloud  then send you answers as to why on a postcard to the station
Check out UKCR’s comprehensive Listeners' Club Newsletter for October.

Gretchen Peters October tour of Ireland is coming up, starting October 16th (The Pavilion, Cork), it will be a first time Ireland-only headlining tour, and so in honor of the famous breakfast she’s calling it "The Full Irish". Joining Peters and husband Barry Walsh on the first four shows will be Ben Glover doing a support set.

UK Tour Page updates
The ABC of British Country Music Live listings for Artists, Bands & Clubs 

UK CHART NEWS
On the Official UK Singles Top 100 Chart (Week Ending October 5, 2013)
Faith Hill’s  There You’ll Be” (Warner Bros.) re-enters the chart at No.89 logging its 47th week on the chart.
Taylor Swift’s Everything Has Changed” (Mercury) feat. Ed Sheeran which was at #100 last week has dropped off the chart.

Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week Ending October 5, 2013)
Taylor Swift’s RED was down 6 slots 91-97 in its 49th chart week.

Official UK Country Album Chart (Week Ending October 5, 2013)
Tony Joe White with HOODOO (Yec Rock) remains at No.1 for a second week. Laura Cantrell makes a No.2 debut with NO WAY THERE FROM HERE (Spit & Polish) and Florida Georgia Line’s HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES enters at No.3.
In their second week’s on the chart saw Chris Young with A.M (RCA Nashville) falls 2-8, Keith Urban’s FUSE (Capitol) moved 3-11,  Sheryl Crow with FEELS LIKE HOME dropped 6-13 and Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott’s new set MEMORIES & MOMENTS (Full Skies) fell 11-19..

On the Hotdisc Chart (September 29, 2013 Chart)

Toby Keith with his latest offering, "Drinks After Work" (written by Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird/Barry Dean) remains at No.1 for a third week on the Hotdisc Top 40. Chris Higbee’sLiving The Dream” co-written with Tommy Hardin and Doug Stokes remained at #2 with The Lawrence John Project holding at #3 with his self penned “We’re On Our Way To Heaven”.
Josh Thompson climbed 1 slot (5-4) with “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” while Lost Hollow’s “Drifting” moved up 1 place to round out the Top 5.
Former #1 Drew Gregory with “Truck.Beer.Girl” fell 4-6.
Fergal Flaherty’sI Won’t Let You Down” stayed rooted at No.7 which tops the British & Irish Chart for a third week with the Hayley Oliver Band’s Good Old Days” a non mover at No.8 (#2 British & Irish Chart). Tony Clarke with “Here Comes That Song Again” (Remix) made progress, up 2 slots to land the No.13 spot (#3 British & Irish Chart).

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(23 Sep 2013) Laura Cantrell - No Way There From Here (Cadiz Music/Spit & Polish) 12 Tracks/ Time: 38:11 CD - MP3
(24 Sep 2013) Sarah Jarosz  - Build Me Up From Bones (UMC /IMPORT) 11 tracks/ Time: 43:52 CD - MP3 
(24 Sep 2013) Neal McCoy - Pride - A Tribute to Charley Pride  (Slate Creek Records) 11 Tracks/ Time: 37:17  CD out (29 Oct 2010) MP3 - UK iTunes
(24 Sep 2013) Randy Travis - Influence Vol.1: The Man I Am CD 

BLUEGRASS NEWS
The International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) show took place on Thursday Sept 26th, 2013.
Cyber Grass : Report Extract: Reigning Entertainers of the Year, The Gibson Brothers, held onto their crown as they captured the coveted top award again. The Gibson Brothers went into the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) annual Awards Show with eight award nominations (they came away with the most awards of the day, a total of 4).
Every year, the awards hold a handful of surprises and this year was no exception. One of the first in the program was Della Mae as Emerging Artist of the Year! This was a wonderful surprise as it shows that the voting professional membership is starting to embrace a wider domain of "what is bluegrass anyway?" The awards show was webcast on LiveStream by Music City Roots. Read more and full award winners listing more here

AUSSIE NEWS
Toby Keith will be making his first-ever concert appearances in Australia in 2014, bringing his Hammer Down Under Tour to Australia for a series of massive arena concerts next March. Friday, 14 March, 2014 (Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD), Tues 18 March (Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW), and Wednesday, 19 March (Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne VIC). Read the Press Release for full details. Keith will also headline the 2014 CMC Rocks the Hunter festival on Sunday, 16 March, 2014 (see Press Release) at the Hope Estate in NSW’s beautiful Hunter Valley.

Sara Evans plays her first shows in Australia this week with Alan Jackson, but she didn't travel Down Under alone. Sara brought her daughters along for the trip, and they started shopping and sightseeing in Brisbane as soon as the plane landed Tuesday morning. Sara says, "I'm SO excited to finally have a chance to visit Australia.  It's somewhere that I've always wanted to visit and can't believe that I'm actually here, and with my daughters too."
Sara's Australian set list will include her big hits "Suds in the Bucket," "A Real Fine Place to Start" and "A Little Bit Stronger" as well as her brand-new single, "Slow Me Down." That song is the lead single from Sara's upcoming studio album, due out next year.

Up-and-coming singer/songwriter Ashleigh Dallas released her 13 track debut album, DANCING WITH A GHOST on Friday, September 27. It features the single 'Me', which has been getting regular airplay on CMC. The multi-skilled Dallas performs
vocals, guitar, fiddle and mandolin on songs co-written with the likes of Busby Marou and Bill Chambers. Listen to the album in full at CMC - AU iTunes

CANADIAN NEWS
Lisa Brokop's new single "Let It Burn" has come out on iTunes. It was released to Canadian radio on September 23rd.

Produced by award-winning singer / songwriter Carolyn Dawn Johnson, "Let It Burn," has become a personal anthem from Brokop. "This song so perfectly sums up where I am in my life and in my career," says Lisa. "I wrote the song with Carolyn (Dawn Johnson) and Brad (Crisler) just days before hitting the studio for my new project. It was one of those songs that just came out of nowhere. I always find those are the best ones. I'm excited for everyone to hear it. Carolyn did an amazing job! We're both so proud of it”

NEWS
  • The Dixie Chicks will perform during a tribute to Carole King when she's honored as 2014 MusicCares Person Of The Year. The ceremony will be held Jan. 24 during Grammy Week in Los Angeles.
  • The Band Perry, took over the airwaves last week, performing their new single "Don't Let Me Be Lonely" and chatting with Arsenio Hall and the ladies of The Talk. They also performed at the 2nd Annual "Beyond Hunger: A Place At the Table" - a fundraiser to help end world hunger and poverty, honoring Academy Award winning actress Susan Sarandon and hosted by Heifer International. The band had people on their feet for their entire set and were thrilled to meet Diane Lane (Photo), the inspiration behind their song "I'm A  Keeper." The lyric "I'll join a band and sing like a canary, Get out of here and change my name to Cherry" is a nod to Lane's character Cherry Valence in the Francis Ford Coppola film adaption of S.E. Hinton's classic novel, The Outsiders. On Saturday September 21st, they brought down the house at the iHeartRadio Music Festival Village (photo with Lucy Hale & friends).
  • Kacey Musgraves will play at pop star Katy Perry’s benefit concert at the Hollywood Bowl October 23. Proceeds will go to the Young Survival Coalition, which is an organization dedicated to young women who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
  • How sweet! Taylor Swift recently surprised a 7-year-old girl (photo) who had been struck by an SUV outside of one of her concerts.
  • Taylor Swift fans worldwide will have access to the fabulous digital greeting cards as American Greetings announced the international expansion of its Taylor Swift Greeting Card Mobile App. The app is available in more than 40 countries within Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. It can be downloaded in the iTunes store and on Google Play. Simply pick a card, personalize and send some love.
  • Keith Urban donated $300,000 in royalties from his single "For You" to the Navy SEAL Foundation Saturday night (9/28) before his show in San Diego. Funds from the song, written for the Act Of Valor movie soundtrack, help Navy SEALs and their families.
  • George Ducas celebrated the release of his highly anticipated album 4340 (Loud Ranch Records) with media, industry executives and friends in music on Thursday evening, September 26, 2013 at Studio Instrument Rentals (S.I.R.) in Nashville, TN. Ducas steps back into the country music spotlight with a 12-song record scheduled for an October 29, 2013 release. Offering a preview of the independent album, Ducas performed a selection of songs from the project including “CowTown,” “White Lines & Road Signs,” “Ain’t That Crazy,” “Love Struck,” “All Kinds Of Crazy,” “Amnesia,” and “Breaking Stuff.
  • Kenny Rogers has recorded the Bryan Adams/ Gretchen Peters song, "When You Love Someone", which made its debut back in 1998 on the soundtrack album "Hope Floats", for his upcoming album "You Can't Make Old Friends". "I've heard it, and it's great!" shares Gretchen. The album drops October 8, 2013.
  • Sammy Kershaw's brother Minos Cashat, Jr. passed away Friday afternoon (9/27). "The world lost a good-hearted guy today," Kershaw posted on Facebook. "But heaven gained an awesome soul".
TOURS
  • Wynn Some:  Garth Brooks ended his three-year residency at the Wynn's Encore Theater in Las Vegas last November. Garth signed up for eight more shows this fall. Two shows happen each night Oct. 18-19 and Nov. 8-9.
  • Martina McBride will share her favorite time of the year with music lovers across the country once again, as she announces the 2013 Pandora Jewelry Presents Martina McBride: “The Joy of Christmas” Tour. The 12-city tour will kick off in Huntington, WV on Friday, November 29 and wrap up in Chicago on Saturday, December 21.
  • Luke Bryan launches his fifth annual Farm Tour October 2. Newcomers Chancie Neal and Cole Swindell will join Luke during the tour, along with songwriting crew The Peach Pickers, made up of Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.
  • Dierks Bentley has added Luke Bryan and Brett Eldredge to his 8th Annual Miles and Music for Kids event - Image
TV
  • Little Big Town, performed the television debut of their new single, “Sober” on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ (Sept 26th). It is the latest tune off the band’s Platinum-selling album, Tornado. “Sober” written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, and Liz Rose impacted country radio Monday, September 30.
  • Celebrate the holidays on “CMA Country Christmas,” which tapes in front of a live audience Friday, Nov. 8 (7:30 PM/CT), at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The special, which features Jennifer Nettles hosting for the fourth year, airs this holiday season on the ABC Television Network. Artists scheduled to perform and celebrate the season with songs and stories include Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Lucy Hale, Nettles, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Michael W. Smith.
  • Nashville’ Returns: When A Door Closes, The Show Opens Three Windows  ..Its back on in America, a recap of the ABC season 2 premiere (contains minor spoilers)
BABY NEWS 
Joey+Rory+Bump
  • Clay Walker basks in new Fatherhood after welcoming his new son, Elijah Craig, born this past spring.
  • Lee Brice is set to become a father for the second time. His wife Sara is pregnant again. Brice took to micro blogging website Twitter to make the announcement. He also posted a photograph of his wife flaunting a baby bump, reports contactmusic.com. "The only thing more beautiful than my Sara, is my Sara carrying my second little baby boy! I'm gonna be a daddy again," he tweeted. The new born will be a younger brother to the couple's three-year-old son Takoda.
  • In a heartwarming episode of RFD-TV’s The Joey and Rory Show on the duo revealed that Joey Martin (aged 38?) is pregnant and is due in February.

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

Deana Carter will release SOUTHERN WAY OF LIFE on her own record label, Little Nugget Records on December 2, 2013. 
It will be her first new studio album since 2007. During that time she continued writing, she lost her Dad in July 2010, and in Oct 2010 she had a car accident resulting in spinal surgery. She went through a divorce and got remarried. On this new album Carter explores many subjects commonly shared over a quaint dinner, afternoon coffee or a sunny day hike with a good friend. The songs weave through the sometimes rocky terrain of adulthood, including loss of love, relationships on many different levels, trials, tribulations and simply put – life. Instinctively autobiographical, the subject matter mimics the interesting ride of Carter’s own life – so far." Opening track "You Can't Stay" was written with Kimberly Perry, fun song "That's Just Me" was co-written with Kacey Musgraves and the title cut "Southern Way of Life" was penned with Damien Elliott. Watch her Q & A / Photoshoot 
* Listen to the 4 NEW songs from Deana Carter and pick her new single! or directly at soundcloud.com "That's Just Me" could be the winner?

Stella Parton’s "Live At Dollywood" DVD has been released. Raptor Records and Attic Entertainment announced the release of the 2nd installment in their Vintage Collection Series. The Live At Dollywood CD/DVD set contains footage of a 1988 concert at Dollywood pulled from the Attic Entertainment archives. This very special appearance at the Celebrity Theatre is Stella’s only public performance at Dollywood and includes many of her hits like “I Want To Hold You In My Dreams,” “Danger Of A Stranger,” “Undercover Lovers,” “Standard Lie Number One,” and “Room At The Top Of The Stairs.” Live At Dollywood by Stella Parton Flavored with sounds ranging from country, soulful R&B, pop and theatrical - this show contains them all! When you order the physical DVD from CD Baby you will also receive a CD as well. -

Exclusive to Walmart, the Sheryl Crow "Feels Like Home 'ZinePak" features an exclusive 64-page magazine (the height and width of an Amazon Kindle or so), custom wildflower seed packet, and Sheryl's debut country album featuring 12 new songs including "Easy," "Shotgun," and "Give It To Me." The 'ZinePak includes an exclusive interview, lyrics, Sheryl's stories behind the songs, and behind-the-scenes details about her collaborations, inspirations, and creative process behind "Feels Like Home."

Bear Family Records has released five new volumes to its long running Country & Western Hit Parade series. The latest CD's cover the years 1966-1970, bringing to an end a quarter of a century of changes, innovations and artists that helped make country music a major presence in the entertainment world.
Country & Western Hit Parade 1966 - 1967 - 1968 - 1969 - 1970

PRESS RELEASES

  • Randy Houser (Stoney Creek) released his third single (Sept 23) from his 2013 release, “How Country Feels”, the seductively smooth “Goodnight Kiss” (Lyric Video - http://vevo.ly/2bSsAd). Houser is a co-writer on the song, along with Rob Hatch and Jason Sellers.
  • Jay Jolley's "God Save Us All From Religion" video premiered Worldwide
  • Country Weekly to premiere Brian Milson's New Music Video "Nothing Grows In Shadows"
  • Ray Stevens debuted "Nashville," his new music video dedicated to Music City, USA. He is also working on a book called “Ray Stevens’ Nashville.”
  • Show Dog-Universal Music president, Mark Wright, announced the signing of Virginia duo, Native Run, to an exclusive recording contract, making them the first duo for the Nashville-based label. Produced by CMA Nominated Producer and BMI Songwriter of the Year, Luke Laird, the duo is currently working on their debut album.  The duo has already been hailed by Paste Magazine as” The Best of What's Next".
  • Craig Morgan is set to appear on an upcoming episode of “Sing For Your Supper”, a new TV series airing on PBS
  • Music teachers head to Nashville by the thousands for 2013 Nafme National In-Service Conference October 27-30, 2013. The event will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Casey James, Sarah Darling, Striking Matches and Mark Wilkinson are slated to perform
  • Rural Rhythm Records have released 2 new titles from their HERITAGE COLLECTION Series: RED SMILEY & The Blue Grass Cut-Ups (originally released in 1967) and CURLY FOX - Champion Fiddler, Volume One (originally released in 1972).
  • George Strait sold out Los Angeles’ Staples Center in 9 Minutes with more than 17,000 tickets sold for Feb. 8 tour stop. The concert was his first to go on sale and will be Strait’s ninth stop during the last leg of his final, two-year The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.
  • Americana Music Association Festival, Conference, Honors & Awards made both local and global impact
  • Luke Bryan & Eric Church are set to "Bring Hottest Summer Party" to Manhattan, Kansas for Kicker Country Stampede June 26-29, 2014. The Four Day Music and Lifestyle Festival Celebrates 19th Year with Newly Announced Radio Partners
  • Chris Young will head west this week to perform his current Top 10 single, “Aw Naw,” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday, October 2nd.
  • Kellie Pickler and her good friend, Summer Miller, will appear together on ABC’s Good Morning America on Oct. 1, in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Lady Antebellum revealed their new single Compass” to fans and has shipped to Country Radio. “Compass” is described as an arena sized sing-along driven by banjo and mandolin instrumentation. It will be available on iTunes and will be included in a special edition GOLDEN DELUXE in stores Nov. 12.
  • Krystal Keith gets her “Redneck On” with her first official single from rising singer-songwriter’s Whiskey & Lace hits all digital retailers and goes for adds Sept. 30. A promo tour is confirmed for mid-October.
  • The Bill Monroe Music Park and Campground is proud to announce the 47th Annual Bill Monroe Memorial Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival is the recipient of the 2013 International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) Bluegrass Event of the Year Award.
ARTICLES
  • CMA Close Up (by Ken Tucker): The Court Yard Hounds Aren’t Just Whistling Dixie
  • Billboard 615: Lynn Anderson Lends Voice to Nearly Lost 'Betty Swain Project'....In the course of her long and illustrious career, Lynn Anderson has been involved with many interesting and fulfilling projects. However, her latest is something very different for the legendary singer. Anderson has a pair of cuts on the new collection, "The Betty Swain Project." She tells Billboard the incredible story of Swain -- who defined the phrase "Never Give Up."
  • RollingStone: 'Nashville''s Clare Bowen on Solo Career, the Opry and Elvis Costello….Actress who plays Scarlett drops hints about show's second season
  • Ottawa Citizen: Kira’s lovin’ the country (Spotlight on Canada's CCMA 2013 Female Vocalist)
REVIEWS
  • Country.de 25th Country Night Gstaad 2013: Review (use Google Translate) LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, The Time Jumpers & Flynnville Train.
  • Bluegrass Today: Bluegrass, Alan Jackson Style...a preview
  • Herald Sun: Alan Jackson, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Thursday….There was something for every kind of country fan at this opening night of the country superstar’s latest Australian tour.
INTERVIEWS
Country Weekly: Deana Carter Talks About Her New Album, “A Southern Way of Life”

LISTEN
  • Michelle Wright: Check out the lyric video for her brand new single. "Crazy Stupid Love", just released to radio.
  • Free Album stream of Kenny Rogers: “You Can't Make Old Friends” available through to October 7 on amazon.com
  • High Cotton: A Tribute to Alabama 14 tracks - soundcloud
  • AmericanSongwriter.com exclusively premiered the official lyric video for “Midnight Road,” the new single from RED BOW Records rising country music newcomer, Rachel Farley. Set to impact Country radio on Monday, October 21, “Midnight Road” serves as the follow up release to Farley’s Top 40 debut single, “Ain’t Easy.”
  • Ali Isabella’s latest single "Taking My Own Sweet Time" from off her upcoming project. It's  is a fun, upbeat song about letting life take you where it wants to take you," Ali Isabella told ARTISTdirect about the song. The then 16-year old New York sweetheart appeared at the 2012 Wembley International Country Festival. Find it on UK iTunes
  • NPR: Roots musicians Tim O'Brien and Darrell Scott first recorded together in 2000 and fans have waited 13 long years for another studio release. The wait is over, with their new CD, Memories and Moments. O'Brien and Scott tell host Rachel Martin what got them back in the studio together.
SPOTIFY COUNTRY
Should Spotify have tracks as soon as radio plays them? ….Spotify’s Kevin Brown has reignited debate around On Air/On Sale by arguing that tracks should be available to stream as soon as they make their radio debut.
Speaking at the BPI AGM on Wednesday (Sept 18), Brown, who is Spotify’s head of label relations (Europe), said tracks should be made available on his company’s service as soon as they go to radio “regardless when the commercial date is”.
The social features on Spotify allow fans to share the track on social networks in effect making them an online street team spreading the word about the song,” he said. The exec said the consumption of a track on Spotify “will help with recognition radio testing”. “We can share the analytic data and consumption. We can share live data of consumption of a current single which will give the promotions team ammunition,” he explained. Those who don’t support the On Air/On Sale debate prefer a track to win weeks of upfront promotion before being available to buy, helping give it a better first week on the Official UK singles chart
See more at: Music Week

** Dan + Shay "19 YOU + ME" new radio single - iTunes
Grayson "You And America," in 2012 played more than 100 venues around America and signed a publishing, album, and management deal in Nashville with Garth Brook’s Guitar player, Johnny Garcia. "You And America," the single and 66 Days on Route 66 are available now on iTunes and Grayson’s Little Doors Album will be available October 2nd.

WATCH
Nashville Season 2
Vidcaps Click to Enlarge
  • Ashley Monroe "Weed Instead of Roses" - On Sept 23 the singer songwriter Ashley Monroe released the music video across all CMT platforms. Award-winning director David McClister shot the music video in Nashville. McClister reflects, “The first time I listened to ‘Weed Instead of Roses,’ I immediately thought of Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers. I also wanted to do something performance-driven that was light and fun and not literal. Most importantly, we were able to locate several vintage video cameras from the era (Ikegamis). Using the cameras from the period gave us a look unlike anything currently on television. I wanted our finished video to feel like an artifact from 1971 – an archival piece of video that had been re-discovered from the vaults of a local TV station.” In October, Monroe will join Atlantic recording artist Hunter Hayes on the “CMT On Tour: Hunter Hayes Let’s Be Crazy” tour, with 23 dates, running through the end of the year.
  • Danielle Bradbery (Season 4 winner of “The Voice”) just released the official music video for her debut single “The Heart of Dixie.” The young starlet has been visiting Country radio stations nationwide to promote her new music and will release a debut album later this fall. Danielle will be making her Grand Ole Opry debut on November 12! 
  • Mary Gauthier and Gretchen Peters wrote a song which made its American debut recently on the Season Premiere of the mega-popular ABC-TV show "Nashville".  "How You Learn to Live Alone" is performed by Jonathan Jackson (aka Avery Barkley) Spoilers: ABC has posted the scene on their Music Lounge website. Also watch Hayden Panettiere clip from Nashville featuring "This Love Ain't Big Enough" (song available NOW on US iTunes) +  "Why Can't I Say Goodnight" by featuring Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio (aka Scarlett & Gunnar) – US iTunes 
  • Watch Josh Thompson's new “Cold Beer With Your Name On It” Lyric video http://vevo.ly/gnDvlW  The track is #45 on Billboard Country Airplay and is included on the September promotional Hotdisc #177 and currently stands at #5 on the Hotdisc Top 40. Josh has one more bit of exciting news to share as he has signed a new publishing deal with Big Machine Music.
  • We are proud to welcome Josh Thompson to the Big Machine Music team," says Big Machine Music's VP, Mike Molinar
  • Alice Benfer "Driving" - Video Clip Directed by Duncan Toombs at Filmery.
  • Amanda Markley  “Breathe” 
  • Becca Hess "It Ain't Even Raining"  
  • Foxy Ladies: Gwen Sebastian is now fronting a bluegrass send-up of Ylvis' viral hit "The Fox," supported by Rebecca Lynn Howard and Jenee Fleenor. Apparently, out in the country, the fox says, "Hi-dee, hi-dee, hi-dee-ho." Watch the sillyness in Sebastian's version
  • Hanalena have a new EPK 
COUNTRY FASHION
Taylor Swift joined 16-year-old actress friend Hailee Steinfeld (wearing a Prabal Gurung’s Spring 2014 collection gown) by attending the premiere of her movie ‘Romeo & Juliet’ held at ArcLight Hollywood in California.
Taylor wore a Reem Acra Spring 2010 beige floral-print dress, with nude Christian Louboutin kitten heels (image) so as not to upstage her Best Friends Forever pal. She carried a Jimmy Choo clutch & opted for Neil Lane jewelry. She styled her look with a retro ‘do and those signature bright red lips - Fashion Pic

According to reps from Johnathan Arndt, when Carrie Underwood attended the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday Sept 22nd, 2013 she wore an $18 million diamond necklace, as well as a matching pair of $3.2 million diamond studs. The high-end jeweler also designed a $4 million pear-shaped diamond solitaire ring for Underwood’s right hand.

Taylor Swift left the gym recently wearing a Victoria’s Secret PINK Half Zip Track Collar Top ($33.00) and a pair of Ray-Ban Original Wayfarer Sunglasses ($200.00). You can get a similar sweater from Target ($24.99) or Lands End ($34.99) and a similar pair of sunglasses from Forever 21 ($5.80). - Image

















Taylor was spotted heading to a dance studio Los Angeles, CA on Sept 29, 2013 wearing Ray-Ban ‘Original Wayfarer’ - $150.00
with WILDFOX Red Leopard Spots Sweatshirt, carrying a Christian Louboutin ‘Farida Bowler Tote’ - $1895.00 (black) and donned Saucony ‘Women’s Mirage 3’ Sneakers ($99.95)

Taylor Swift was spotted leaving Barney’s with Demi Lovato in Los Angeles, CA  September 29, 2013. Tay was wearing an oversized shirt with a vintage red hat (scoring points at the Glamour.com fashion desk) with cute pair of brogue-style shoes. Was she wearing something under the shirt?! - IMAGE She wore Hue Tights ‘Dot Tulle Sheer ($9.35) with Chanel ‘Black Leather Lace Up Oxford Tap Shoes’ and carried a Christian Louboutin ‘Farida Bowler Tote’ - $1895.00 (black). The smooth leather bowler tote has rolled handles and gunmetal-tone hardware. Four exterior slip pockets: one at front, one at back, one at each side.

Taylor Swift works a newsboy cap (Button Newsboy Cap, Black, Jcpenny,  $18.00 (£14.79)) on the November 2013 cover of British Glamour
The 23-year-old singer opened up about making mistakes in public and still be a role model. Taylor went with sexy black eyeliner and gorgeous blonde hair peeking out from under the black cap.
On the Nov. 2013 issue cover of Glamour UK she looked sweet and preppy but also sexy and smoldering with a dark cat eye. Her blue eyes stand out with thick black eyeliner, making a cat eye shape. Her skin and lips are nude, making her eye makeup stand out even more! To get her look use British brand Boots No7 Stay Precise Liquid Eye Liner Black.
She rocked Sixties siren in the mag reinventing Miss Swift. The black shift dress with its gold sequined flowers from Jagaer's Boutique range has Christine Keeler written all over it (£180) boasting a beautiful floral sequin overlay and feminine frill-detail neck. Christopher Bailey's AW13 Burberry collection took inspiration from Keeler's style. The sequined cocktail shift is a perennial classic that never goes out of style. Taylor's delicate heels are Dolce & Gabbana.

COUNTRY GOSSIP
  • Jason Aldean already defended his pal Luke Bryan on Instagram after Zac Brown told a radio interviewer Luke's song "That's My Kind of Night" was the worst song he ever heard.  Now, Jason is speaking further on the country music dust up in an interview with Canadian newspaper The Province. While Jason admits he doesn't like every country artist on the radio these days, he says, "I'm not publicly going to go out and trash 'em." As for Zac's comments against Luke, Jason says, "I know Zac, I don't have anything against the guy, he's always been cool to me, but I didn't like that." He adds, "I don't agree with any artist bashing another artist."
  • Now we know why Taylor Swift and Aussie actor Brenton Thwaites were seen hanging out at the recent Toronto Film Festival. He’s part of the cast of the big screen film, ‘The Giver,’ and now we hear Taylor will be in the movie as well. It stars Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges.
  • Tim McGraw’s confirmed he is in the George Clooney film, ‘Tomorrowland’ it’s a mystery/sci-fi they started filming in Vancouver, BC this week. Tim says, “I love the script. It’s a great story.” It’s about a teen and a former boy-genius inventor who go back in time.
  • Ronnie Dunn and Toby Keith are on the new album ‘Sammy Hagar & Friends’ and speaking of Ronnie, this weekend he wrote on Facebook he was going to make a post that would be a quote, “game change stink bomb” but he has not yet had the courage to post it.
  • Keith Urban has a song about a red Camaro on his album, FUSE but has he ever owned one?  Keith says, “I'm embarrassed to say the only red car I ever owned was a station wagon.”
  • Willie Nelson needs our help to solve a crime. A crew members toy stuffed armadillo, Ol’ Dillo, was taken by a lady who just walked onstage after Willie’s New York concert.
  • The cassette tape turned 50 this month and Chris Young was asked how it impacted his life. He said, “I used to buy cassette singles and I had a Ray Stevens cassette I absolutely wore out but the worst was when your tape would jam and get stuck.”
  • In court Friday, Billy Currington got five years probation and a $1,000 fine after pleading no contest to the abuse of that older tour boar captain who gives guided tours in front of his Georgia home. The judge said Billy will also have to have anger management counseling.
  • Florida Georgia Line are the only country collaborators on Nelly’s album, ‘M.O.’
  • Luke Bryan’s on the cover of the new People Country. He says the downside of fame is the loss of privacy. Someone was knocking on their door the other night at 3 A.M. - that happens all the time. He and his wife have also seen people go through their trash.
  • Taylor Swift is on the cover of Glamour UK cover  November 2013 with an article “I've Never Fit Perfectly with a Man”…She's had a bought of bad relationships, but that hasn't stopped Taylor Swift from continuing to search for Mr. Perfect. In the issue the "Love Story" songstress opens up about finding love, forgiving cheaters, avoiding the tabloids and shared her opinion of Miley Cyrus. Read her comments on dailymail.co.uk and celebrity-gossip.net
TWEETS
Mary Gauthier: Tomorrow night, on ABC TV, the season premier of Nashville happens, and guess who has a song on the show? Yep, I finally landed one, a brand new song I wrote with my friend Gretchen Peters. Avery (Jonathan Jackson) will sing it, it's called How You Learn To Live Alone.

Whilst in Music City for the Americana Festival BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris OBE and his family got backstage for one of Taylor Swift's massive shows at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena (Photo)
Taylor  was photographed with Miles Myerscough-Harris:


Who is Miles Myerscough-Harris?
Like his dad, Miles has followed him into broadcasting presenting a 2 hour-long show on Smokestack Radio  a new online radio station broadcasting from the UK.

Since meeting Taylor and on his return to England Miles has been using a new Taylor avatar on his Twitter page!
He tweeted:
Miles @MilesMH92 24 Sep It was so ABSOLUTELY lovely to meet @taylorswift13 in Nashville. She was so nice & friendly, & totally incredible too- what a performance!!
Miles @MilesMH92 LIFE. MADE. pic.twitter.com/9jhkQZJ9eG
Miles'
UK girlfriend Catherine replied:
she had better step off ma man ;) haha then: The boyfriend did GOOOOOOOD! EEEE thank you SO much @taylorswift13!!! pic.twitter.com/nHOruwh8sM
Miles in complete awe of Miss Swift! – PHOTO !
Could this be love!? LOL
Even Bob has fallen for the 23-year “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer-songwriter! 
On his website he writes: The Taylor Swift concert - one of my favourite gigs ev-ER!”  - Image

PHOTO
  • Insane Clown Posse: Taylor Swift posed with her dancers and tour mate Ed Sheeran who snuck onstage during Saturday's (Sept 21) closing number. "Show highlight: Ed Sheeran dressed like a clown and danced the choreography to 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,'" tweeted Swift. "Quite the finale." The Love Story superstar posted: Before she then added: "I love these people so much. #redtour" (sic) - Image +  Taylor & Luke Bryan Image
  • After 66 sold out shows and six months of zigging and zagging across North America in support of her album 'Red'. 30 Favorite Photos from Taylor Swift's RED Tour -
  • Swiss Miss: Gretchen Wilson shows us the sights from Switzerland after she played the Gstaad Festival last week - Image
  • Is Zac Brown in Luke Bryan's sights? He crashed this beast's party during a hunting trip in Colorado.! - Image
  • Let Him Eat Cake: Ryan Seacrest feeds "Little Bit Of Everything" singer and American Idol judge Keith Urban a little bit of cake to celebrate the simultaneous No. 1 debut of his new album Fuse in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Fellow judges Harry Connick, Jr. and Jennifer Lopez hope for the same treatment - Image
  • World of Bluegrass 2013 International Bluegrass Music Association Facebook Photo Gallery © 2013 Willa Stein Photography
  • BBC Radio 2's Bob Harris returned from Nashville after what he described as an "incredible week" during the Americana Music Association’s 12th Annual Honors.
    Whilst there Bob and the Radio 2 team recorded 9 sessions for Bob Harris Country and 4 for the Sunday show. Bob presented Duane Eddy with his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ryman, was guest announcer at the Opry (Eddie Stubbs both huge honors), curated the BBC Introducing Showcase, hosted a major interview with Rosanne Cash to launch her new album (due Jan 2014) and spent time backstage with Taylor Swift!! First day of the Music Row Sessions - Brantley Gilbert - Brandy ClarkAoife O'Donovan and her band  The Tuesday Sessions - Holly Williams - Florida Georgia Line - with Lennon and Maisy (from the Nashville TV series) and Lyndsey Bogguss at the Hard Rock (BBC Introducing showcase) on Friday evening.

BIRTHDAYS
Sept 30: Crystal Bernard (1963), Eddie Montgomery (Montgomery Gentry) (1963), Marty Stuart (1958), Deborah Allen (1953) 
Oct 1: Kelly Willis (1968)
Oct 2: Joy Lynn White (1961), Gillian Welch  (1967), Jo-El Sonnier (1946), Chris LeDoux (1948)
Oct 4: Leroy Van Dyke (1929), Heidi Newfield
Oct 5: Johnny Duncan (1938), Becky Haley (The Haley Sisters) 

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