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Monday, 23 December 2013

Country Bites News snippets December 9 – December 15, 2013

Country Bites News snippets December 9 – December 15, 2013

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

In March, the Brooklyn-based trio The Lone Bellow will head to the UK and Germany for a run of dates performing in Glasgow, Bristol, London, Berlin and lastly Hamburg.  
Additional dates are to be announced next year. UK dates currently start on March 4, 2014 (Gateshead, UK / The Sage 2) ending with The Borderline in London on March 11th – See www.thelonebellow.com
recognized as stand-out performers in the heart of PBS’ documentary, “Nashville 2.0 The Rise of Americana” The Lone Bellow  exclusively premiered the vintage inspired music video for,  “Let You Go’ on RalphLauren.com.
Along with Zach Williams, the Lone Bellow’s lead singer and principal songwriter, Brian Elmquist (guitar) , Kanene Pipkin (singer) their recording and touring ensemble now includes Ben Mars (bass), Brian Murphy (keyboards), Matt Knapp (lap steel and electric guitar), Jason Pipkin (banjo and mandolin), and Brian Griffin (drums).
Read more and hear about them: The Lone Bellow Bloom From A Dark Place To A Bright Future 

Henley's very own Bluegrass professional singer, songwriter and ex UKCountryRadio.com presenter Lynne Butler has a official video for “A Yodelling Christmas Song”, featuring her  along with her son George Campbell having some wacky festive fun on the deliberately cheesy and catchy, novelty song >> YouTube
It is a charity single and monies from downloads will go to charity. See the Facebook page which is
Lynne states that Xmas song is “a classic festive themed novelty that ought to top charts.” First released on Nov 26, 2012 it’s available on UK iTunes

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Albums Top 100 (Week Ending December 21, 2013)
Daniel O’Donnell with A PICTURE OF YOU (DMGTV) stays at No.55, in his 5th week at retail for his latest and 30th UK Top 40 album. - CD - MP3
Taylor Swift’s RED moved up 3 slots from 92-89 on her 60th chart week.

Official UK Country Album Chart  (Week Ending December 14, 2013)
Billie Joe (Armstrong) + Norah (Jones) with their 12 track FOREVERLY (Warner Bros) remained at No.1 for a third week.
Lady Antebellum moved 3-2 with GOLDEN switching places with Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) who fell 2-3 in her 35th week.
Derek Ryan climbed 5-4 with COUNTRY SOUL (Sharp Music) in his 7th chart week.

On the Hotdisc Chart (December 15, 2013 Chart) 

Ray Scott with his new self penned single  "My Kind Of Music" secured a second week at No.1 on Hotdisc Top 40 and has a  comfortable lead over David Shelby who climbs into the No.2 slot with a 3-2 hop with “Stealing Honey” (written with F J Turner and Chris Virzi) from his album RUST BELT COWBOY.
Billy Yates with his 2-week No.1 “The House That Jack Built” moved 2-3.
Toby Keith’s “Shut Up And Hold On” (writers Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson) made good progress with a 5 place climb (9-4). He is joined in top 5 by The Phoenix Stone Band “When The Whiskey Doesn’t Work” who advanced 2 places (7-5).
US act M Callaghan with “Baptized By Your Love” entered the Top 10 with an impressive 7 slot jump(13-6).
Australia’s Michelle Banting with “Stay A While” climbed 8-7.
Joel Crouse with “Why God Made Love Songs (Show Dog) made a 2 notch advance (10-8)
The Hayley Oliver Band with “The Hand That Rocked The Cradle” fell back 5 places 4-9 but successfully held hold the No.1 on the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart for a sixth straight week once more holding off the challenge from Kickin’ Country with “Rock It Megamix” who fell back 6 places on the Top 40.

Of note outside the Top 10 tier saw some serious movers: Jeff Griffith (25-15), Lost Hollow’s “Heaven Knows” (27-16) and Mary Kaye’s seasonal offering “Come Gather Round The Angel Tree” (26-19) enjoyed some upward chart strides.

UKCountryRadio.com’s 2013 Listeners Club finalist Thorne Hill has finally made the Top 10 of the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart after 2 months promoting 2 new track as the self penned single “All My Days” made a 34-27 move and snagged the No.9 slot.

AUSSIE NEWS
Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey have pulled out of Golden Guitar Awards over the John Williamson row.
Australian country music is turning itself inside out over claims by John "True Blue" Williamson that it's not Australian enough and has become way too American.
Williamson quit his job as boss of the Country Music Association of Australia and called for more Narrabri than Nashville in the local music scene. He also took specific aim at local country heroes Keith Urban, Troy Cassar-Daley and Adam Harvey in his parting spray.
Cassar-Daley and Harvey recorded a hugely successful duet album, THE GREAT COUNTRY SONGBOOK, which features covers of many American country standards and had been nominated for six awards at the Gold Guitars in January.
And now Cassar-Daley and Harvey say they have withdrawn from the awards in light of Williamson's criticisms that the pair's new album was too American. Harvey announced his decision overnight via his Facebook page.
“I love country music, and I don't want our big night of nights in Tamworth to be over shadowed by any drama's [sic] over our nominations,” he wrote. “I'll be there to support our fellow artists and celebrate our industry. I do want to thank everyone who got a copy of our album and who continues to support Troy and I. I'm really proud of this album.”
Cassar-Daley also used Facebook to tell fans the album would no longer be in contention: “We must move forward now and continue to celebrate Country Music in Australia no matter what style you chose to play,” he said. “To me the real judges are the fans and friends who chose to buy our music.” Later, he tweeted: “Feeling pretty sad right now.”

CANADIAN NEWS
Singer-songwriter Victoria Banks has signed an exclusive new record deal with Fontana North. "I'm very proud to be included on the roster of Fontana artists," says Victoria of the new partnership. "I'm excited to be working in cooperation with such a great staff to share new music with the world in 2014!"

MTS Management Group and Canadian-based country music artist, Amy Rose happily announced the world premiere of Amy’s music video for her current radio single, “Sunshine” (Wild Rose Music/MTS.) The video is due to premiere Friday, December 20, 2013 at 8pm ET on Amy’s Youtube Channel.

NEWS
  • Snapshot News: Country Aircheck: December 13, 2013 - December 17, 2013
  • Globe Spotters: Big Machine's Taylor Swift and Nashville's Hayden Panettiere received nominations for the 71st annual Golden Globe Awards. Swift's "Sweeter Than Fiction" is up for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for its use in One Chance. Panettiere's nod is for Best Supporting Actress in a Series.
  • Lifetime Network: Singer and songwriter Kris Kristofferson will be honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award during a Grammy Week ceremony Jan. 25, with formal acknowledgment of the honor made during the Jan. 26 Grammy telecast on CBS-TV.
  • The Band Perry was hailed the hardest working country band of 2013 and one of the hardest working acts across all musical genres this week by Songkick.com, one of the world's most comprehensive databases of concerts and tours. The Band Perry shares the list with artists such as P!nk and The Lumineers, among others. The only other country act to make the top 20 hardest working acts of 2013 is the legendary Willie Nelson. The superstar-sibling trio performed 126 shows to hundreds of thousands of fans around the world this year, earning them the honor.
  • Kip Moore extinguished his Burn The Whole World Down tour wrapping up with a sold-out show at Cleveland's House of Blues on Saturday night. His headlining run resulted in sold-out dates thrilling thousands of fans with a preview of new music and what is to come from "one of Nashville's breakout stars…" (Washington Post) in 2014.
  • Hundred Grand Entrance:  It was Taylor Swift's birthday Friday (12/13), but she was the one giving the gifts. Swift donated $100,000 to the Nashville Symphony. Musicians union AFM Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy says the money couldn't have come at a better time, since symphony musicians had taken a 15% pay cut in August because of financial troubles, and he hopes it's just the first of many such gifts.
  • Wedding Belle: Best wishes to Florida Georgia Line's Brian Kelley, who married his girlfriend Brittney Marie Cole on December 16th in Nashville. They had a small ceremony with just 40 guests at sunset, followed by a reception in a renovated barn on Kelley's 32-acre property. Now the couple will head "somewhere tropical" for their honeymoon.
  • Engage Meant:  Best wishes to singer/songwriter 35-year old Jacksonville native Danielle Peck ("Findin' A Good Man"), whose boyfriend Josh Smith proposed Friday (12/13). A small wedding is being considered for sometime in 2014. Her song "Findin' a Good Man"  released on the Big Machine label charted at #16 in 2006
TV
Kelly Clarkson is heading down to Nashville to play the role she was born to play: herself. After the mid-season (Season 2) finale, the ABC TV drama confirmed that Clarkson would appear in an episode of the show where she’ll record Mazzy Star’s hit “Fade Into You” with characters Gunnar (Sam Palladio) and Scarlett (Clare Bowen).

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS

Sara Evans will release her highly anticipated seventh studio album SLOW ME DOWN, on March 4, 2014. The album comes over two years after the release of Stronger, her second Billboard Country Album Chart #1. Despite five #1 Country songs “Slow Me Down’s” title track, released earlier this Fall is Sara’s biggest first week Country radio added single ever. (Note: After 16 chart weeks it resides at No.34 on Billboard Country Airplay chart and she posted a career-high start at No.43 on Hot Country Songs that beat her previous opening-week mark, set when “I Keep Looking” bowed at No. 46 in 2002).
Blurb: Slow Me Down is co-produced with Mark Bright (Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, and Carrie Underwood) who Evans last worked with on her Platinum-selling #1 Country album Real Fine Place (2005). Slow Me Down sees Evans collaborating on three tracks “Better Off” with Country legend Vince Gill, “Can’t Stop Loving You” a duet with Isaac Slade of The Fray and a cover of Gavin DeGraw’s “Not Over You,” which features Gavin singing harmonies. This album is what fans have waited for and newcomers are bound to fall in love with.
“Making Slow Me Down has been a truly amazing experience,” said Evans. “I had the chance to co-write with some of my favorite writers, work with Mark (Bright) and some truly incredible musicians  - and now hearing what we created gives me such an incredible sense of pride.
* TWO songs have been penned by Canadian singer-songwriter Victoria Banks and her co-writers Phil Barton & Emily Shackelton.

Five-time Grammy nominee Rhonda Vincent, the New Queen of Bluegrass as deemed by the Wall Street Journal, is clearing the lane for her upcoming 2-Disc combination release that includes six-songs each of Bluegrass and Country.  The project, appropriately titled ONLY ME, serves as a reminder why Rhonda Vincent & The Rage is the most awarded band in bluegrass music.  Only Me will be released on Upper Management Music, and available where all music is sold on January 28, 2014.
Sticking with her musical roots, Rhonda is joined by Daryle Singletary on “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds,” while Willie Nelson adds vocals and a guitar solo to the title track.
“The Bluegrass pickers on this song are some of the best that I have ever heard. When I think of Bluegrass, this is the sound that I hear,” says Willie Nelson.  “Rhonda’s voice is beautiful. I am thankful for her letting me be a part of it all.”

Charlie Daniels, award-winning, platinum selling music icon, is proud to announce the release of his audio reading of the historical children’s poem about a man who hears Santa Claus on his rooftop on Christmas eve.  Just in time for Christmas, Blue Hat Records in association with MRI/RED Distribution will release Daniels version of the audio reading of “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” digitally on US iTunes, Amazon, and all other digital outlets on December 10, 2013.
“When “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” is read, if by some magic we could see into the imagination of those listening, we would most likely see a thousand different mental images of the “Jolly Old Elf” dressed all in red from his head to his toe.  This beloved old poem has nurtured our personal perceptions of Santa Claus, symbolized the secular aspect of Christmas, transcended generations, and it still invokes visions of sugar plums and plants a question in even the most cynical mind about a midnight visit from a mythical sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,” says Charlie Daniels. (Press Release)

There's a brand-new Johnny Cash album coming out next year -- that is, brand-new to fans. The late legend's son, John Carter Cash, discovered unreleased tracks from his father's 1981 and 1984 recording sessions in Nashville with famed producer Billy Sherrill. Twelve of those tracks are being released on the new collection, OUT AMONG THE STARS, due out March 25.
The project includes a duet with Waylon Jennings on the song "I'm Movin' On" as well as two additional collaborations with Cash's wife, June Carter Cash.

PRESS RELEASES

  • Aaron Lewis announces First Leg of 2014 'The Road' Tour’
  • Chris Young celebrates a Home For The Holidays with Celine Dion. "Who I Am With You," Second Single From A.M., Hits Monday, Dec. 1.
  • Charlie Daniels, award-winning, platinum selling music icon, is proud to announce the release of rare 1979 live recordings from the fifth year of the momentous Volunteer Jam.
  • Canadian artist updates in the Open Road Recordings Newsletter
  • Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott, have earned a Grammy nomination for their song “Keep Your Dirty Lights On” nominated for Best American Roots Song. It is Scott’s fourth and the duo’s second Grammy nomination.
  • The holidays came early for Kellie Pickler and her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, who received a special delivery on December 16th – an entire barrel of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey personally delivered by Master Distiller, Jeff Arnett.

ARTICLES
The Americana Music Association has announced its year-end Top 10 & Top 100 Albums of the Year. The Top 100 Albums are based on those records reported to the Americana Airplay Chart during the period of November 19, 2012 through December 2, 2013. This year’s Top Ten most played albums are:
1) Jason Isbell, Southeastern, Southeastern Records / Thirty Tigers
2) Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses), The Low Highway, New West Records
3) Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Old Yellow Moon, Nonesuch
4) Patty Griffin, American Kid, New West Records
5) Mavericks, Suited Up And Ready / In Time, Valory
6) Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, Cheater’s Game, Premium Records / Thirty Tigers
7) Delbert McClinton & Glen Clark, Blind, Crippled & Crazy, New West Records
8) Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale, Buddy and Jim, New West Records
9) Carrie Rodriguez, Give Me All You Got, Ninth Street Opus / Thirty Tigers
10) Holly Williams, The Highway, Georgiana Records
Click HERE to view the full 2012-2013 Top 100 Albums

  • The Tennessean - Peter Cooper On Music: ‘Nashville’ adds to Bluebird’s popularity.
  • CMA CLOSE UP by Bob Doerschuk - New Artist Spotlight: Brandy Clark
  • CMA Close Up  Erin Duvall: Jake Owen’s Social Network Secrets
  • “Duck Dynasty”’s Family Christmas: It’s nearly impossible to turn on the television or visit any Walmart, Books-A-Million or Bass Pro Shop without encountering images of the bearded Robertson clan from A&E’s “Duck Dynasty.” It’s the No. 1 nonfiction show in the history of cable television….Where could they possibly go from here? To Nashville, of course, to make their recording debut.

INTERVIEWS
Fabulous at 51! Sheryl Crow is svelte and stunning in eye-catching pink gown at the American Country Awards

MAGAZINES
LISTEN

“If You Don’t Know Me By Now” – A Note From Martina
Was A Big Hit: Martina McBride studies the console at her Blackbird Studios as she works on her upcoming album Everlasting with producer Don Was. The release is a collection of classic R&B and soul songs, including "If You Don't Know Me By Now." Listen here. Out March 4 on her own label, Everlasting is her second album of covers, following 2005's Timeless.

While things remain very quiet on the Dixie Chicks front, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are busy making music under the Court Yard Hounds band name and have just released a brand new holiday song called "Bom Bom Bom." It’s available on
US iTunes and Uk iTunes "Being sisters, Emily and I decided to write a song that reflected a lot of what we remember Christmas to be as we were growing up," Martie told Yahoo Music. "It seemed fitting to go ahead and record it, and give it to our fans as a little token of our appreciation this holiday." Love the song and want to play it on December 24 or 25th for your own family? The sisters will be offering a free download of the song (for an email share) at their official site

SPOTIFY COUNTRY


WATCH
  • Kristian Bush: "House on a Beach" (Official Lyric Video) -
  • After the advert, check out Kelly Clarkson performing “Silent Night” featuring Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood.
  • “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Lily Madeleine.
  • A new take on an old holiday favourite! Check out this video of "Carol of the 'Belles'" featuring Victoria Banks and her best girlfriends Mary Sue England, Lisa Brokop & Tania Hancheroff. 

COUNTRY FASHION

Hayden Panettiere looked gorgeous and glam while attending the Ein Herz Fuer Kinder Gala 2013 at Flughafen Tempelhof on Saturday in Berlin, Germany. The ‘Nashville’ actress wore a Paule Ka Spring 2013 Black Carpet Collection black one-shoulder gown featuring a gold brooch and a shoulder draped detail - Image
The latest fashion for the Cowgirl/Country Girl at heart! We offer the latest, cutest fashions for women whether you are a true, blue Cowgirl, or Country Girl at heart. We hope to see you on the Trail!. Check out cowbootyfashions on Facebook.

American Country Awards 2013 -  A review & Red Carpet ACA Fashion

COUNTRY GOSSIP
Wynonna and Ashley Judd are involved in a bizarre custody battle over Wy's daughter Grace. Wynonna had a GPS tracking device secretly installed on a car owned by Ashley but driven by Grace. When Grace found it, Wy denied it but when the device got traced back to her, she had to confess. Police say no charges have been filed yet but there could be and they’d involve stalking and harassment.

PHOTO

BIRTHDAYS
December 17:  Sharon White (Whites) (1953)
December 18: Tracy Byrd (1966), Cledus T Judd (1964), Montana Slim (1904)
December 19: Little Jimmy Dickens (1920), Janie Fricke (1947)
December 21: Albert Lee (1953), Lee Roy Parnell (1956)
December 22: Lori McKenna (1968)

R.I.P
Ray Price Montage CLICK to Enlarge
Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Price died, aged 87, on Monday at his Mt. Pleasant, TX home (Dec 16) following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Earlier Country Weekly reported they were  saddened to hear that Ray Price returned to his Mount Pleasant, Texas, home to begin hospice care. He decided, along with his wife, Janie, to forgo any further treatment. Janie explained Ray’s decision further. “Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings and making decisions. With God's blessing he has not had extreme pain,” she said. “But it’s with great sadness that I announce to you today that my beloved husband has entered the final stages of his cancer that he has battled for 25 months. Anyone who knows Ray is aware that he has strong convictions and great faith in God. It’s his decision to leave the hospital and return home to spend his final days on his beloved ranch surrounded by the comfort of his home, family and friends.”
Ray also had a touching message for his fans: “I love my fans and have devoted my life to reaching out to them. I appreciate their support all these years and I hope I haven’t let them down. I am at peace. I love Jesus. I’m going to be just fine. Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you again one day.”

Born in Perryville, TX on January 12, 1926, Price moved to Nashville in the early 1950s, forming the Cherokee Cowboys, whose varying membership through the years included Roger Miller and Willie Nelson. "Danny Boy" and Kris Kristofferson's "The Same Old Me" (#1 Hot Country Songs; 1959) were among his more notable recordings before he began concentrating on gospel music later in his career. His final album, Last of the Breed, was recorded with Nelson and Merle Haggard and released in 2007.
He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
He joined the Marines at 17. He had started singing while in veterinary school, after coming back to Texas from World War II. His first records (1949) drew little notice, but he caught the attention of Hank Williams, who took Price on tour with him in 1951 and brought him to Nashville, where he began to sing with the Grand Ole Opry.
More than 60 years later, he was looking forward to the release of his next album (reflective project titled “Beauty Is")
He was the first artist to have a success with the song "Release Me" (1954), a top five popular music hit for Engelbert Humperdinck in 1967. Price's 1956 single "Crazy Arms" (>> video (live in the 80's) spent 20 weeks atop the country charts and introduced a bass-driven, four-four rhythm that became a touchstone of the Nashville sound -- a rhythm later dubbed the "Ray Price beat." The song, written by Chuck Seals and Ralph Mooney, opens with the line "Now blue ain't the word for the way that I feel." But far from sounding dour or depressed, Price placed his crystalline tenor voice with the emotional crack atop an invigorating beat that got listeners on their feet and dancing in honky-tonks from coast to coast.
"The sound they had going at the time in country was a 2/4 sound with a double-stop fiddle," he said, referring to the popular country beat that emphasized the second and fourth beats in each four-note measure. "I added drums to it and a 4/4 bass and shuffle rhythm and the single-string fiddle.
"I don't know where it came from," he said, "it's just what I wanted. Everybody at the session thought it was the funniest thing they ever heard. They just thought it was strange. It was — and it was on the charts for 45 weeks."
"Ray expanded country music to the masses," Bobby Roberts, Price's agent, said in a written statement. "He was a true gentleman that absolutely cared about his fans."
Grammy Awards: 1971 Best Male Country Vocal Performance - "For The Good Times" (>> Video)
Academy of Country Music:
1970 Album of the Year - For The Good Times
1970 Single of the Year - "For The Good Times"
Video:
Ray Price: Medley 60's
Ray Price performs his classic #1 single "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me" live at the Grand Ole Opry (published 2012)

Related Post: (The Tennessean by Peter Cooper) Ray Price, Country Music Hall of Famer, dies at age 87.
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