2013 British Country Music Awards
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| British Country Music Awards - Graphic CLICK to ENLARGE |
The British Country Music Awards 2013 (BCMAwards)
took place on Sunday 24th November 2013 at the Concorde Suite, Crane Lodge
Road, Heathrow, TW5 9PQ.
This was the third
year that the awards took place in this format. The sell-out event included 12 live performances (house band, C'est
La Vie) and 25 Awards were given
out.
Country musician
and BBC Radio Essex presenter Steve
Cherelle along with popular British country singer-songwriter Charlie
Landsborough co-hosted the awards with the evening rounded off with
an eight song set from Grammy-Nominated
singer/songwriter, Billy Yates. Several
of the award winning American artists (Vince Gill, Tim McGraw) sent in video
acceptance speeches.
Some
artists through websites and press releases are still referring to the body as the British
Country Music Association which is incorrect (BCMAwards are NOT the BCMA
awards the confusion continues). The British Country Music Association was
disbanded many years ago and when the British Country Music Awards evolved the disagreement
and confusion regarding its title was reported in Country Music People May 2011
(reported by David Allan)
The British
Country Music Awards is a self
appointed committee of directors whose names are not public knowledge on the
British scene with secrecy as to how acts are nominated, how the votes are
gathered and just how many votes are actually cast.
The panel (not the public) selected
each category nominee who would then send out the nominations to representatives
from each area who then voted from which a “winners” list was compiled.
It is
noted that some of the nominees have a connection to someone on the panel.
The BCMAwards committee is believed to consist of an all male panel of six:
a) Lee Williams who is CEO and owner of
CMR Nashville (“Europe’s #1 country music station”), Django Promotions (CMR Nashville is a Trademark name of Django Promotions) and did
hold the title as President of the British Country Music Awards. Lee was presented
with the prestigious ‘International Country Music Broadcaster Of The Year
Award’ by the Country Music Association of America on Friday 1 March 2013 at
Disneyland, Paris in front of over 80 Industry people from around the world.
b) Malc T. Allan (Current chairman of the
BCMA and the BCMHoF (British Country Music Hall of Fame). Born on the North
Yorkshire Moors he has a love for country music and came from a very musical
family and from a very early age his father taught him to sing and play the
guitar. M.T.Allan is managed solely by NAM, see his website
c) Rob Davis (Publisher & Editor), who
has been in the publishing industry for over 17 years founding both Up Country and Cross Country magazines. - See more at: crosscountrymagazine.co.uk
d) Roger Wild (Copper Kettle Promotions,
Copper Kettle and Broken Spoke country festivals).
e) Les Evans (NAM agency) Les & Glenn
Rogers of 4 Card Trick perform as a duo. Over the last ten years Les has
probably been better known as head of the largest specialist country music
agency in the UK, NAM.
f) Jim Duncan (Wolvestock organizer / Festival
promoter/ Country radio presenter)
This
years British Country Music Hall of Fame
Inductees
were:
Johnny Larkin: The late 87 year old was a North East country
music agent, seen here singing Nobodys Child
Frank Jennings: A man who still has the distinction of
being the only British country act ever to have a gold disc. He was a long-time
winner of the popular 1970s programme "Opportunity Knocks" presented
by Hughie Green and landed a contract with EMI. Four decades he re-launched his
career and the first single from his album, "Three Days", crashed
into the Hotdisc Top 10 to debut at number 1 in the British and Irish Country
chart. Jennings also enjoyed a five week No.1 (9 Dec 2012 to Jan 6, 2013
charts) at the summit of the British & Irish Hotdisc Top 10 with his single
"Born And Raised In Black And White.
Philomena Begley: The 71-year old Pomeroy,
County Tyrone, Northern Ireland singer celebrated 50 years in country music.
One of
Begley's biggest fans is Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell, and he once quoted
"When Philomena sings a song you believe her…..you feel that she’s
experienced every emotion she expresses”.
Her niece, Andrea Begley, won the BBC
TV Series The Voice in June 2013.
For
more information on Inductees please visit the BCMHoF
The BCMAward 2013
Nominees and Winners (shown in BLUE) are:
Entertainer of the Year: Charlie Landsborough; Henry Smith; Alan Gregory; Tony
Rouse; Magill.
Male Vocalist of the Year: Darren Busby; Chris Raddings; Gary Perkins; Pete Kennedy; John
Taylor.
Event of the Year: Wolvestock; The Americana; Quickdraw Festival; Country to Country
CMA O2 Event;
Northern Nashville Festival.
Duo of the Year: Raintown; Spur; Thrillbillies; Little Rock;
Jonny & Lynnette.
Linedance Act of the Year: Glenn Rogers; Paul Bailey; Alan Gregory; Natalie Thurlow;
Texas Tornados.
Female Vocalist of the Year: Nancy Ann Lee; Donna Wylde; Becky Haley; Hayley
Oliver; Lisa McHugh.
Solo Act of the Year: Gary Quinn; Richard Palmer; Nancy Ann Lee; Darren Busby;
Alan Gregory.
Band of the Year: Henry Smith Band; The Diablos; My Darling
Clementine; John
Taylor Band; Gary Perkins & The Breeze.
Horizon Act of the Year: Luke Thomas & Melanie Greggain; Jessie
Roberts; Abbey Bridgeman; Raintown; Red Dirt Skinners.
International Act of the Year: Vince Gill; Tim McGraw; Carrie Underwood; The
Band Perry; Rascal Flatts.
Musician of the Year: John Pettifer; John Permenter (fiddle); Lee Guyler; Derek
Thurlby; Steve Place.
UK Album Of The Year: Peter Kennedy - Nashville Sessions Vol 2
UK Song Of The Year: “He Don’t Show Her Anymore” (writer Gary Quinn)
Hotdisc Act Of The Year: Rob Allen (For song “Pale Rider”)
International Song of the Year: “Highway Don’t Care” - Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift,
Keith Urban
International Album of the Year: BLOWN AWAY Carrie Underwood
Irish Act Of The Year: Shunie Crampsey
People's Choice Award: Gone Country
European Act Of The Year: Hicks (Sweden), Didier Beaumont (France),
The Bosshoss (Germany), Steff Nevers (Norway),
Pete Kennedy (Republic of Ireland)
Americana Artist of the Year: Emily Barker & Red Clay Halo
International Services to Industry: Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Records)
UK Services to Industry: Roger Wild (Promoter)
Sponsors.
The overall
Sponsor was Ascot Lawyers with individual award sponsorship by
CMR Nashville,
Hotdisc, Hunt Roche , Copper Kettle Promotions , Maverick Magazine , Country
Music People , CMDS Magazine , Rural Property Watch , Travelling , Digital
Rodeo, Red, Lipstick Productions, Double H Promotions, Quick Draw Festival,
Phil Mack TV Show, KEMC Records, Sylvan Entertainments, www.countrymusic.co.uk
Source: bcmawards.co.uk
Listen
to an edited recording of CMR Nashville’s Lee Williams review on the awards
ceremony.
Pick up after the
advert from 1 minute in.Listen to some of the 2013 BCMAward Winners on Spotify
Gary Quinn – He Don't Show Her Anymore - Track 2
Rob Allen – Pale Rider (10 Tracks 2012)
Emily Barker & The Red Clay Halo – Dear River (14 Tracks)
A look at some
of the Winners
Henry Smith – Won the
prestigious Entertainer
of the Year for the third year in a row. He is renowned for his
dedication and lively stage performances. Described by many music critics as
the UK’s number one Country Artist. The Henry Smith
Band has been voted BCMA Band of The Year 2010 and
Entertainer of The Year 2010, 2011and 2012. He cites his influences as: Alan
Jackson, Randy Travis, George Jones and Garth Brooks. On Sunday Dec 1, 2013 saw
the launch of The Smith & Rogers
Country Show (Sky 191/ Freesat 400) on Showcase TV which he hosts with Glenn
Rogers (formerly one of the presenters of the Phil Mack Country Show) - Graphic – Episode 1 available to view on smithandrogers.tv/watch
Nancy Ann Lee – Brit Country’s
answer to Miranda Lambert she too has now won Female Vocalist of the Year for a
successive year beating out strong contenders Becky Haley; Hayley Oliver and Lisa McHugh.
Nancy was
nominated for Best Female Vocalist in 2011 (which was won by Nadine Summers). Nancy was
also nominated for Solo Artist of The Year both in 2012 and 2013.
On her website it states:
Nancy Ann Lee brings you the latest in country
music hits with a few of the classics thrown in for good measure. With songs
from.... Billie Joe spears, Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Hank
Williams, Patty Loveless – visit littlemissshow.webs.com/nancyannlee
Raintown – Winners of
the Duo of the
Year at their first attempt (>> They say thanks to their fans)
The Scottish pair comprise Claire McArthur (born
in Glasgow) and Paul Bain
(Born in Kirkcaldy, Fife moving to Cumbernauld when he was a baby.) The Kilsyth Chronicle referred to them as “Cumbernauld Pop/Country duo”. They met in Glasgow when they were both part of a company
in a “big Las Vegas style show”.
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| Raintown head back home with the Duo Award |
This was about 7 years ago and it was how they started and
how they got into performing. The couple met working in Dennistoun at the Parade bar (A former cinema) – See PIC1 - See PIC2
They went under the name of
"OMNI" as a pop act making a living at weekends. They covered
songs such as "It Takes Two", “Suspicious Minds” and "Warwick
Avenue and their webpage and music still exists on Myspace
Seeing the success that Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift were having in
the UK as pop crossover acts with remixed singles it is thought that they saw
an opportunity as a “country act” naming themselves after the Deacon Blue album
titled “Raintown”.
In November 2010 they released their mostly pop leaning debut
album HOPE IN TROUBLED TIMES. They were dubbed as the “UK’s answer to Lady
Antebellum” by Allan Watkiss CMA International Broadcaster 2010 (ex presenter
on BBC Radio Sheffield and station head of UKCountryRadio.com).
In June 2011 they represented Scotland at the ‘CMA Global Artist
Showcase’ in Nashville as the sole representatives for the UK.
They opened for McDonald
Brothers (Craig
and Brian, finished 4th to
Leona Lewis in the 3rd series of X Factor) playing to 300 of their fans as a support.
The couple had an exciting 2012 winning the support (with fan voting)
for Wet Wet Wet at their 25th Anniversary concert in front of 15,000 fans with
their 7 piece band. They won two awards at the criticized and now defunct Scottish
New Music Awards, including Record of the Year (Traditional Folk)
In 2013 they supported Brantley Gilbert at a Glasgow gig and performed on
one of the Pop Up stages at Country2Country at London's O2 Arena.
On their website
they list as influences: Pink,
Brad Paisley, Christina Aguilera, Take That, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Keith
Urban and Rascal Flatts.
Raintown also state they are “fast gaining the reputation as one of the hottest
Country acts in Europe”! and “Wet Wet Wet had all agreed that Raintown
were the real deal as far as music was concerned”.
“I was told to look out for an
amazing duo in Scotland called Raintown. A few tracks were sent down and I was
hooked on their original sound. We have since met and I find them two of the
most professional young musicians with the right attitude that is going to give
the UK their own hit Country/Americana act in the very near future. ” - Lee Williams, CMR Nashville
Luke Thomas & Melanie
Greggain - Winners of the Horizon Act of the Year. Luke Thomas & Melanie
Greggain state on their website “are an exciting Country music duo from the UK and together they combine to make one of the
most exciting young country music duo's around”. Both are also
frontline band members for "Solid Gold Country Legends" which tours
many of the UK's principle theatres. In early 2012 they decided to team up and
put both their skills and talents together “to form this unique country duo which is taking the UK by
storm”! (write up in Up Country Magazine) - www.lukeandmel.com
- Facebook.com/lukeandmel
Rob Allen – This year's
winner of the Hotdisc Act Of The Year for his title song
"Pale Rider" which topped
the charts for a record-breaking 9 weeks on the British & Irish Independent
Hotdisc Top 10 (from chart week July 8, 2012) and had three weeks at No.1 on Hotdisc
Top 40 (from chart week August 5, 2012)
Based in Cardiff, Wales his self released album came out on June 15, 2012
and is available on UK iTunes
Other Hotdisc acts which won awards at the big night for British Country
Music in London were Pete Kennedy (Best Album), Henry Smith (Entertainer Of The
Year), Raintown (Best Duo), Darren Busby (Best Solo), Gone Country (Peoples'
Choice) and Hicks (European Act of the Year). Stuart Cameron, Hotdisc's
Managing Director, said: "With no
less than seven acts who have appeared on Hotdisc in the recent past scooping
top awards at the BCMA Awards it shows once again the importance of promoting
to radio and getting the music out there, which is what we do. Generating
airplay for our clients throughout Europe is what we believe passionately in
and have been doing it now for 15 years”
Gone Country - Winners of the People's Choice Award the people have answered, it seems, after a ZERO rated album from Country Music People’s editor Duncan Warwick (Who
said "Delivering
14 songs, and all covers that should have been left well alone...Red Solo Cup
is spectacularly awful") which
received reader letter response and one from lead vocalist Stu Edwards himself in the November
2013 issue.
On the HOTDISC TOP 40 dated 11 August 2013 those DJ's had awarded enough
marks to give Stu Edwards & Gone Country a No.1 on the Hotdisc British
& Irish Top 10 for the first time ever with the song "My Kind Of
Music":!:
On their website Gone Country describe themselves as “The UK’s
favourite LIVE Country band, playing a huge range of Country music right from
new contemporary Nashville Country to Classic Country, 70’s sing-a-long Country
as well as smooth Country love songs …Country Music never sounded so good! And it‘s going to get even better! Gone Country – voted as one of the UK’s top
live bands on the Country scene - has had an exceptional year, and it looks set
for yet another brilliant year as the band breaks new ground and changes the
way most folks in the UK think of live ‘Country Music’
Based in Surrey, full five piece live band Gone Country are well known
in the Southern Home Counties. The Band also play as a Tribute Show to Johnny
Cash.
They reacted to their BCMAward: So it's taken a little while to set in, a
BCMAward for People's Choice..... Totally out if the blue! What I want to get
across is a huge THANKYOU to everyone that was part of this, the only award
voted by the people that pay their hard earned cash to come see all the artists
on the circuit play, you have been amazing audiences to play too & long may
it continue - Facebook.com/StuEdwardsandgonecountryband – Read more at stusonline.wix.com/stuedwards
And listen to their music at: reverbnation.com/stuedwardsgonecountry
Gary
Quinn – Winner for UK Song Of The Year his self penned “He Don’t Show Her Anymore” comes from his
10 track 2013 self titled fan Pledgemusic funded
album.
The
album, released on 22 October 2013, does not currently register on the iTunes
UK Top 1500 Country albums and is available digitally on UK iTunes - Amazon UK or from garyjpquinn.co.uk/music
Born and raised in Ireland, now based in Leigh, Wigan, Quinn
listened to his father’s Kris Kristofferson tapes and then fell in love with
the new country music coming out of America after hearing the Garth Brooks
album ‘No Fences’ in the early 1990’s.
Gary has performed at the Belfast Nashville
Songwriters Festival for the past 4 years. From his website describing his
music, Quinn states: “Creating beautifully crafted
lyrics he draws you in with his acoustic driven performances of rock infused
country balanced with the traditional”
In February 2013 Gary was asked to share the stage with
Sugarland’s Kristian Bush and Hall of Fame Songwriter Bob DiPiero as part of
the CMA Songwriter Series that visited Europe.
Pete Kennedy – The Clareen,
Leinster, County Offaly, Republic of
Ireland native accepted 5 BRITISH Country
Music Awards Nominations (Male Vocalist ,Song of the Year "Love
Like That" & "Without You", Album of the Year (The Nashville
Sessions: Volume 2’) and European Act of the Year (up against Hicks (Sweden),
Didier Beaumont (France), The Bosshoss (Germany), Steff Nevers (Norway))
>> See
video
Birr man Kennedy won the UK Album of the Year for the second year running
for his mini album EP The Nashville
Sessions Volume 2, first released back on Sept 15, 2012. It currently has a
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: of #415,182 in Music - Amazon UK
MP3 - Amazon UK MP3 6 Tracks (Kemc Records) Total
Length: 24:11.
Last year he won with The Nashville Sessions Vol 1, also
a mini album EP, released 17 Sep 2012 - Amazon Uk
Both EP’s Vol 1 & 2 are neatly combined on a 13 track self titled
album that was released in January 2013 - Amazon UK - UK iTunes
His latest single ‘Love Like That’ (promoted by Django Promotions) reached No.3 on the
Hotdisc Top 40 chart and enjoyed a 3-week No.1 run on the British & Irish
Hotdisc Chart (starting from chart week Oct 13, 2013).
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| Pete (L) accepts his BCMAward with Steve Cherelle and Lee Williams (R) |
Pete who currently spends his time between New York, Nashville, London
and Ireland had some UK dates which included a pre BCMAward shows
on Thursday, Nov. 21st (Jagz, Ascot) and a Songwriter's show (with Billy Yates,
Beau Fuller and Gary Quinn) on Saturday, Nov 23rd at the Berkoff Performing Arts
Centre.
Pete performed live at the BCMAward ceremony, playing his Song of the
Year nomination “Love Like That” and album track “Love You Anyway” - “I am absolutely
thrilled and honoured to win this award,” Pete said on the night. “Words
just can’t describe how much this means to me.” He went on to dedicate the win
to his wife Audrey and two daughters who he said sacrifice so much while he
pursues his career. He has travelled over 200,000 miles over the past 18 months
both performing and promoting his work. See more at: www.offalyindependent.ie - www.petekennedy.net
Abi Bridgeman – The Southport,
England native who was nominated for Horizon Act of the Year was on hand to
pick up "International Album of the Year" on behalf of her idol
Carrie Underwood!
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| The gorgeous Abi Bridgeman (R) with Hick (L) from Sweden and Beau Fuller |
In 2010, aged 18,
Abi scooped the coveted Miss Southport and
in June took part in the Miss England semi
finals in Leicestershire. Now this gorgeous former seaside beauty is aiming to establish
herself among the elite of country music.
She made her American debut at June’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville. She performed at the CMR Nashville International Artist
Party at Whiskey Bent Saloon on Lower Broadway.
Abi’s appearances in
Nashville were the first opportunities for audiences to hear her new song, “Without You” (written and produced by
Pete Kennedy for whom she was backing singer for Republic Irish singer/songwriter
Pete Kennedy during his set on the CMA Chevrolet Stage). Read more on her website
BCMAwards
2013 QUOTES:
Thrilled to have
just won UK Album of the year at the BCMA's Happy - Pete Kennedy (Image)
So we won Event Of
The Year for #C2C2013 at the British Country Music Awards at the weekend - YAY!
– C2C Festival (Image)
Congratulations
Paul and Claire [Raintown], really pleased that you've won. Totally deserved - Simon Large (UKCountryRadio.com)
Good luck to our
friend Abi Bridgeman today at the British Country Music Awards! She's nominated
for best new artist. MapleStar Music & Media's Melanie Crouch is with Abi
at the awards in London, England - MapleStar
Music & Media
Congratulations to
Jo-Leah! "Crazy Country Girl," the song she co-wrote with Pete
Kennedy is one of the tracks included on Pete's "Nashville Sessions Vol
2." That album won Album of the
Year last night at the British Country Music Awards in London, England. — with
Pete Kennedy and Jo-Leah Wallace Tilbury - MapleStar
Music & Media
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