Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Country Bites News snippets January 20 – February 2, 2014

Country Bites News snippets January 20 – February 2, 2014

SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED

UK & IRISH News

Collin Raye, Billy Yates & Roly Daniels have 4 Irish dates: The Great Northern Hotel, Co. Donegal (Wed 19 Feb), Millennium Forum, Londonderry (Thu 20 Feb), Royal Dublin Society, Dublin (Fri 21 Feb 2014) and Armagh City Hotel (Sun 23 Feb). Tickets available at Ticketmaster

BBC Radio 2 Bob Harris Sessions coming up:
(Thurs Jan 30th) As part of the Celtic Connections festival, Mary Chapin Carpenter joined the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a world premiere of her new album Songs From The Movie recorded at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Friday January 24th. Listen back at bbc.co.uk
(Feb 6) Lennon & Maisy with Sam Palladio; (Feb 13) Rosanne Cash; (Feb 27) Dierks Bentley; (March 20 & 27) C2C Festival

Kirsty Young's castaway on Desert Island Discs this week on BBC Radio 4 (Feb 2) was the broadcaster, Bob Harris. His 2nd pick was Robert Plant and Alison Krauss "Gone Gone Gone" and 7th choice was Kacey Musgraves' Merry Go 'Round. Listen back or download the MP3 audio at bbc.co.uk/desert-island-discs

For the week commencing 25 January 2014 on the BBC Radio 2 Playlist - Kacey Musgraves with her now 4th Radio 2 track “Step Off” finally left the “B” list (first added the week commencing Dec 26, 2013). Sheryl Crow with “Easy” stays on the “A” Playlist (first added the week commencing Jan 4, 2014) with her album FEELS LIKE HOME getting a full release on 27th January 2014 is made Radio 2’s Album of the Week. She leaves the playlist for the week commencing Feb 1, 2014.  With Radio 2 named as one of the official sponsors for the C2C Country Festival it comes as no surprise to see Chris Young with “Lonely Eyes” added to the “C” playlist.

The Americana Music Association UK is moving forward and will present a special Showcase of concerts at Kings Place, Kings Cross, London from Thursday February 13 to Saturday February 15. Laura Cantrell, Police Dog Hogan and Emily Barker will be the headline acts over the three nights. Other performers will include Sturgill Simpson, the Vagaband, Austin Lucas, and Hatful of Rain. Read more alancackett.com To buy tickets for the AMA-UK Showcase concerts visit: kingsplace.co.uk

Danni Nichols released a debut album to great reviews, signed publishing and record deals and made a music video in 2013. She has now announced a 2014 Spring Tour. One date on Saturday March 8th at Union Chapel, London is for the Daylight Music Sessions (3 acts, 12pm, free entry). She now flies back to Nashville for some serious songwriting, gearing up for making album #2. She'll be releasing 'A Little Redemption' in the USA Feb 25th which was first released on June 28, 2013 available on UK iTunes - Read more in her Newsletter  

Heather Myles has had to withdraw from her touring this year (personal problems at home) so she will not now be appearing at the Rock Ridge Country Festival this year.

Country will be king in the U.K. and Ireland as CMA participates in a diverse lineup of Country Music events from songwriters’ showcases to industry panels, to star-packed stadium concerts across the Atlantic March 14-17. Scheduled events for the weekend include:
The Second Annual CMA International Marketing Summit on Monday, March 17 at the British Music Experience at The O2.
Highlights of the Summit include a keynote by Big Machine Label Group founder and CEO Scott Borchetta in addition to a special Brad Paisley and Friends BBC/CMA Songwriters Show taping at the BBC’s New Broadcasting House. The CMA Songwriters Series-styled event includes Paisley with his songwriting friends Chris Dubois, Kelly Lovelace, and Lee Thomas Miller.
CMA Songwriters Series an evening with the storytellers behind the hits takes place the evening before C2C on Friday, March 14 at The O2’s IndigO2, which is making its third run in the region; a special BBC songwriters show taping at the iconic BBC Radio Theatre; and two crowning C2C (Country To Country) concerts, two nights each, at The O2 in both Dublin and London in association with The 02 and SJM Concerts.
The CMA Songwriters Series in London will be hosted by award-winning songwriter Bob DiPiero, the intimate evening of songs and the stories behind them features Martina McBride, Brett James, and Striking Matches.
BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network and Popular Music Controller and CMA Board member Bob Shennan stated, “The Country Music scene has never been more vibrant in the U.K. and I am delighted that Radio 2 is able to welcome so many music friends from around the world to the heart of the BBC for what promises to be a very special event.”  BBC will broadcast the evening as a one-hour program on BBC Radio 2 in the fall of 2014. Full details at cmaworld.com

All three dates for The Garth Brooks Comeback Special Event are now SOLD OUT. In excess of 10,000 people queued around the country at Ticketmaster outlets and the entire 240,000 tickets sold out in 90 minutes. This is the first time that an artist has sold out 3 dates at Croke Park in one day. Bob Doyle, Garth Brooks manager said ‘We’re thrilled. Peter Aiken, his team and Ticketmaster have done an amazing job’ ‘In 52 years of business this is the fastest selling concert Aiken Promotions have ever been involved in’, Peter Aiken said. The Garth Brooks Comeback Special Event will take place on Friday 25, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2014 at Croke Park.

Ward-Thomas & Jess Roberts are on Tour In February - Flyer

UKCountryRadio.com have launched the UKCountryRadio.com Awards for 2014. There is a new award the "UK Country Artist Of The Year Award". 
It is the one that has achieved the most in the last year as voted by the listeners. Simply nominate your favourite by filling in the voting on the website (Nominations close at the end of May). The ten artists with the most nominations will then go forward to a special vote amongst UKCountryRadio.com's presenters and UKCR subscribers. The winner will be announced at their Seventh Birthday Party in September.
Voting is also underway for UKCR's Listener's Club Song Award for 2014. There are over 30 songs in the running for the Award, all of them promoted through UKCountryRadio.com last year. The full list is in the Awards section where you sample clips and can cast your vote. Read more about UKCR.com, events, spotlight artists in their February 2014 Newsletter

The lovely Talia Smith (one halve of duo Travelin Rose with Kelly Lee) performed her first solo gig at The River Side Club with her beloved mandolin in Alt Country/Americana/ Bluegrass trio format accompanied by Dobro and Double bass! She showcased a new original song titled "Phoenix". The story line is about a woman who is watching her world disappear into the fire, because of her cheating hubby, yet she feels to blame as she is the one kicking him out, but she knows that she has to keep strong and in the end she rises from the ashes to a better life. >> Watch the video (credit Chris Burland) and kindly critique with your comments on Facebook at #bluegrassstaines

TV ALERT: This week sees the return of ABC drama TV series Nashville with season 2 on More 4

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Singles Top 100 (Weeks Ending Feb 1, 2014 & Feb 8, 2014)
Avicii‘sHey Brother” which features uncredited vocals from Dan Tyminski (the singing voice of George Clooney in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou) dropped 3-6 (30,904 sales; total 408,793) in its 18th week and then 6-8 in week 19 (28,559 sales; total 437,352). It has a GOLD UK certification with sales total of more than 400,000.

Official UK Albums Top 100 (Weeks Ending Feb 1, 2014 & Feb 8, 2014)
Taylor Swift’s RED re-entered the Top 100 moving 113-93 in her 66th week on the chart. Mary Chapin Carpenter with SONGS FROM THE MOVIE debuts at No.95. 
On the chart week 8th Feb Sheryl Crowe’s FEELS LIKE HOME (First released Sept 10th by Warner Brothers) album made it debut on the chart at No.16 (5,498 sales) with the week’s second highest new entry for the US singer’s ninth studio album which was made Album of the Week on BBC Radio 2 . With Red Fever about to hit London Taylor Swift’s RED moved up 24 places 93-69 in her 67th chart week

Official UK Country Album Chart  (Week Ending Feb 1, 2014)
Beth Nielsen Chapman with UNCOVERED debuts at No.1 (#102 on UK Official Album chart).
Lucinda Williams self titled remastered album (Thirty Tigers) makes a bow at No.2 (#129 on UK Official Album chart).
Billie Joe (Armstrong) + Norah (Jones) with their 12 track FOREVERLY (Warner Bros) fell back 1-3 in their 9th week after seven non-consecutive weeks at the summit. Doug Paisley with STRONG FEELINGS is new at No.4.
Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) slipped back 2-5 in her 41st week. Derek Ryan was down 10-15 with COUNTRY SOUL (Sharp Music) in his 13th chart week.
Nathan Carter with WAGON WHEEL rolled up 7 places 18-11 in his 65th chart week.
(Week Ending Feb 8, 2014)
Sheryl Crowe with FEELS LIKE HOME (Warner Brothers) returns to the Top 20 straight in at No.1 on her 6th chart week. Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) got a Grammy Winning bounce rebounding 5-2 in her 42nd week. Lucinda Williams self titled album drops 2-3 as does Beth Nielsen Chapman with UNCOVERED 1-4.

On the Hotdisc Chart (January 26, 2014 Chart)
In the fourth chart of 2014 Ray Scott with his new self penned single  "My Kind Of Music" secured a eighth week at No.1 on Hotdisc Top 40. David Shelby with “Stealing Honey” held at #2 for a sixth week. Andy Griggs cover of the Hank Williams song “Ramblin’ Man” advanced 5-3. 
Hot Shot Debut Jessie Lee Cates with “Scotland” (from the Hotdisc 181 January 2014 disc) remains at #4. The Phoenix Stone BandWhen The Whiskey Doesn’t Work” fell 3-5.
Bart Connell with “What A Way To Go” (written by David Hobby and James A Rushing) climbed 10-8 with Monongator Joe’s single “No Turnin’ Back” makes the top 10 with a 13-10 hop.

British singer/songwriter Sam Hollyman with “Where I Wanna Be” moved up 2 places in his third week (15-13) and remained at #1 of the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart. Sam’s track is available on Amazon UK and iTunes. The Diablos and their December single “Bad Chrome Job” held at No.20 on the Top 40 and sit behind Sam at No.2 on the British chart.

On the Hotdisc Chart (February 2, 2014 Chart)
After a 7 week run at No.2 behind Ray Scott’s "My Kind Of Music" saw David Shelby finally overhaul his fellow countryman to bag the Hotdisc Top 40 No.1 slot with "Stealing Honey." It was the narrowest of margins which secured David his second #1 from three singles released to Europe. Andy Griggs cover of the Hank Williams song “Ramblin’ Man” moved up one notch 3-2 as Scott’s 8-week #1 slipped back 1-3.  
Jessie Lee Cates with “Scotland” held at No.4 for a third straight week as Bart Connell with “What A Way To Go” again advanced 8-5 in the upper tier.
Sam Hollyman with “Where I Wanna Be” moved up another 2 places in his fourth week (13-11) and held the Hotdisc British & Irish Chart #1 for a third straight week.
Hannah Bethel with “Medicine” finally makes a healthy upward stride with doctors ordering it an 18-13 advanced.

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES
(14 Jan 2014) Cody Johnson - Cowboy Like Me
13 Tracks/ Time: 49:28 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(20 Jan 2014) The Stray Birds - Echo Sessions [EP]
5 Tracks/ Time: 17:28 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com (released Nov 20, 2013)-
(21 Jan 2014) Jason Eady - Daylight & Dark (Old Guitar Records)
11 Tracks/ Time: 35:27 CD - MP3 - Amazon.com

(21 Jan 2014) Susan Cattaneo - Haunted Heart  (Jersey Girl Music)
15 Tracks/ Time: 54:33 MP3 - Amazon.com  Compact disc version of Haunted Heart comes in a beautiful matte digipak. Includes sixteen page booklet with lyrics and credits. Listen in full at susancattaneo.bandcamp.com

(21 Jan 2014) Ray Benson - Little Piece
11 Tracks / Time: 42:55 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(20 Jan 2014) Amy Ray - Goodnight Tender (Daemon Records)
12 Tracks/ Time: 42:39 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com - Amy Ray going down the country road...As half of the long-running folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, Amy Ray is a successful, longtime music pro. But calling 10 minutes late for an interview from her Georgia home, she sounds no different from millions of working Americans: a parent juggling her job, with a new baby
in her arms...."I've wanted to make a country record for about 12 years," she says. "It's a genre that I really appreciate, but I couldn't figure out how to approach it, maybe because I had this big respect for it. So I would write some songs and put them to the side. Finally I had more songs that were country than the rock and punk things I'd been doing. So it felt like this is the moment."....Read More at chicagotribune.com

(27 Jan 2014) Uncle Tupelo – No Depression: Legacy Edition (Sony Music CMG)
2 CD 35 Tracks CD - Amazon.com

(28 Jan 2014) Rhonda Vincent - Only Me 2-CD (Upper Management)
12 Tracks/ Time: 40:21 CD - Amazon.com

BLUEGRASS NEWS
Irene Kelley, Nashville songwriter and small town Latrobe, Pennsylvania native, will bring tunes from her first new collection of  
original songs, PENNSYLVANIA COAL, in more than 10 years, to the upcoming Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MO. The new bluegrass full-length album Pennsylvania Coal (Patio Records) is a tribute to her coal-mining grandfather and a recording Irene has had on her bucket-list for some time. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Mark Fain.

Donna Ulisse and her writing partner and good friend Jerry Salley were thrilled to have their song "Butler Brothers" included on the Del McCoury Band's latest release STREETS OF BALTIMORE which recently won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album

The 2014 awards from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass of America were announced on Feb 2 in Nashville as the Grand Finale of their 31st Annual National Convention. Female Vocalist (Contemporary) went to Sonya Isaacs, Female Vocalist (Traditional) was Dale Ann Bradley, Male Vocalist (Contemporary) was Jamie Daley, Male Vocalist (Traditional): James King, Album of the Year: In A Country Town, The Farm Hands and Rhonda Vincent won Entertainer of the Year. See complete list of winners at bluegrasstoday.com or spbgma.com

AUSSIE NEWS
Kasey Chambers, Adam Brand and The McClymonts will headline this year's Urban Country Music Festival (May 2 to 4). Four-time Golden Guitar winner Beccy Cole, Busby Marou and the Sunny Cowgirls also top the bill, which will feature a total of 160 artists performing across 12 stages. Held annually in Caboolture, the three-day event attracts an estimated 20,000 country music lovers to southeast Queensland. The festival is spread across Caboolture's Historical Village and Showgrounds and the Queensland State Equestrian Centre. For more information www.urbancountry.com.au

Lee Kernaghan and Sara Storer emerged the big winners at the 2014 Tamworth Golden Guitar Awards. Kernaghan took home the awards for Male Artist of the Year, CMC Video Clip of the Year, Single of the Year and Top Selling Album of the Year, off the back of his hit album Beautiful Noise and its stirring popular single, 'Flying With The King' - a tribute to country music legend Slim Dusty. Storer's swag of awards were particularly complimentary, after she spent a brief hiatus away from the industry, claiming trophies for Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Vocal Collaboration of the Year with John Williamson. Read the Full blog report Country Music Awards of Australia 2014

CANADIAN NEWS

Former members of the chart-topping trio The Wilkinsons, Amanda and Tyler Wilkinson, are making their stateside return as Small Town Pistols releasing new music from their self-titled debut album. The duo’s first single and video, “Colour Blind,” is now available on iTunes and YouTube. The duo co-wrote the song with Joey Moi, who is credited for producing the track (“Colour Blind”) and other hits by Florida Georgia Line (“Cruise,” “Get Your Shine On,” and “Round Here”) and Jake Owen (“Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Days of Gold”). “Colour Blind,” which serves as a lyrical reminder to see everyone’s unique colors and to enjoy all of life, is the first stateside single off their current album.

NEWS

  • Snapshot Country Aircheck's Insider News: January 21, 2014 - January 24, 2014 - January 27 2014 - January 31, 2014 - February 4, 2014
  • Black River Entertainment will hold a luncheon during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) on Fri, Feb 21st in the Performance Hall at the Nashville Convention Center. Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, John King (photo), and additional special guests are scheduled to perform during the event.
  • Phillip Phillips (American Idol season 11 Winner) and The Band Perry performed as part of the Super Bowl XLVIII pregame show in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday, February 2, the NFL and FOX. The two acts performed at the NFL Tailgate Party and part of each performance was televised live on FOX SUPER BOWL SUNDAY. The NFL previously announced that Bruno Mars would perform in the Pepsi Super Bowl XLVIII Halftime Show. >> Watch TBP perform “DONE.” For the record The Seattle Seahawks dominated Super Bowl XLVIII, thrashing a badly misfiring Denver Broncos 43-8. It was the first Super Bowl staged outdoors in a cold-weather state. - bbc.co.uk/sport
  • The Band Perry has stepped in to help with expenses to bury a mother and eight children who were killed in a house fire in Greenville, Kentucky.
TOURS

  • Nashville Stars on The Opry Stage (Feb Events) - www.opry.com/calendar
  • Luke Bryan will electrify the crowd during the DAYTONA 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the start of the "The Great American Race" at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 23
  • The Mavericks, celebrating over two decades of performing together, will embark on the 25 LIVE TOUR February 27 in America.

AWARDS
  • Insta-Grammy: Kacey Musgraves, Darius Rucker and The Civil Wars represented country music on the winners' list at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards (Jan 26th) in Los Angeles.
  • Kasey Musgraves claimed two awards: Best Country Song for "Merry Go 'Round" (>> YouTube) and Best Country Album (presented by Martina McBride and Zac Brown) for SAME TRAILER, DIFFERENT PARK. See her album acceptance speech here. >> Watch Kacey’s interview in the One on One Room. Speaking to the press after her big
    wins, a still-glowing Kacey said, “I can’t put into words how excited I am to represent the country music genre with the music that I’ve gotten to make. I made a record that was inspired by real life, everything that I was going through at the time, but also all of the traditional elements of country music that I’m in love with, that I grew up with—the Lorettas, the Glen Campbells, the Marty Robbins. And if there’s a way I can be a part in preserving that but also making it my own, then I feel like I’ve done my job.” Kacey missed out in the all genre Field 4 for Best New Artist Winner which went to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.
  • Darius Rucker won for Best Country Solo Performance for "Wagon Wheel" but missed out on delivering a heartfelt acceptance speech as he got stuck in Traffic. Rucker became the first African-American to win a country Grammy since Aaron Neville shared one with Trisha Yearwood in 1995.
  • The Civil Wars won the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award for "From This Valley." >> Video
  • Emmylou Harris was joined by Rodney Crowell as one of the first Country music-related winners winning Best Americana Album for OLD YELLOW MOON.
  • Download The 56th GRAMMY Awards Nominees List [PDF file] Complete Winners Listing - grammy.com
  • See a 2014 Grammys Live Blog at savingcountrymusic.com
  • Taylor Swift had two awkward moments at the Grammys her reaction when she thought she had won, and her dance moves. Conan O’Brien poked fun at Taylor’s headbanging Grammy performance! She was nominated for Category 2 Album of the Year - but her record titled RED lost out to daft Punk's hit Random Access Memories. GIFs capturing her reaction - where she appeared literally gobsmacked went viral across social media. She was the only one dancing in the room during different performances by artists like Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons.
  • Hunter Hayes sang his latest hit, "Invisible," whose lyrics carried an "It Gets Better"-type message. Kacey Musgraves performed a simple rendition of her hit "Follow Your Arrow;" with cowboy boots that had blinking electric lights on them.
  • Keith Urban and singer/guitarist Gary Clark Jr. teamed for a version of Keith's single "Cop Car."
  • Country legends Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson, joined by Blake Shelton, performed "Highwayman," "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys."
  • Martina McBride presented the Best Country Album trophy and has a busy weekend lined up in Los Angeles starting with a performance at the MusiCares Person of the Year event Friday night. Carole King was year's honoree, and Martina sang "One Fine Day" in a medley along with Miranda Lambert, Jennifer Nettles and Amy Grant. She said honoring Carole King at the MusiCares gala is long overdue - "I'm so excited to be a part of that event," Martina told ABC News Radio. "I mean, she's had a career, like, unbelievable. Such longevity and written so many amazing songs." Zac Brown, LeAnn Rimes and Kacey Musgraves also took part in the Carole King tribute. A few years ago, Martina actually opened the Grammy telecast as part of a tribute to Aretha Franklin.

Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw led the 2014 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards nominations. The awards will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, April 6th at 8:00 pm EST on the CBS Television Network.
Miranda and Tim each picked up seven nominations, followed closely by Keith Urban with six and Lee Brice, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift with five a piece. This year’s Country music awards show will take place on April 6, 2014 and will air live from Las Vegas on CBS at 8pm ET/PT. Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan return as hosts of the show.
Lambert landed a nomination in the ACM's top category, Entertainer of the Year. She said in a statement, "As a female artist, it has been a long time goal for me to be in this category. And such great company too! I work hard on my craft and my art, and to be nominated alongside these incredible artists that are my friends and peers, means the world to me”.
Nashville’s hottest new duo Dan + Shay, received their first ever nomination for 2014 ACM Award’s “Vocal Duo of the Year,” presented by Darius Rucker.  “We could not be prouder to be nominated. It’s a dream come true!,” they announced upon hearing the news. Timing couldn’t be better, as the pair are set to make their Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday, February 1, performing on the historic stage.
Gordon Mote the award-winning musician, singer and songwriter, has been honored with his 11th nomination from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards. Mote is nominated in the Piano/Keyboards Player of the Year category. He has won two previous ACM Awards in the same category in 2011 and 2009.

Read the Full Press Release for full Nominees listing at acmcountry.com

SINGLE / ALBUM NEWS
  • Maggie Rose, RPME Records powerhouse vocalist is ready to make her mark in 2014, by releasing her new rock-infused catchy story song single, “Looking Back Now,” to country radio (Tues Jan 21). The song serves as the third single from her acclaimed debut album, CUT TO IMPRESS, and was written by Lisa Carver. >> "Looking Back Now" Preview Maggie Rose had a great 2013, with singles ‘I Ain’t Your Mama’ and ‘Better’ hitting top 30 on country radio and her debut album Cut To Impress literally impressing many critics.
  • Jerrod Niemann had his fans anticipating a big announcement last week, and the singer-songwriter definitely delivered. Niemann announced his third studio album, HIGH NOON, will hit stores on March 25. Produced by Jimmie Lee Sloas and Niemann, the collection features its lead single, "Drink to That All Night," which is in the Top 20 and climbing.  The album title is inspired by Jerrod's childhood living in Dodge City, KS, a town steeped in the history of gunfighters like Wyatt Earp. Jerrod was fascinated by that concept of meeting an adversary at high noon and facing whatever you're afraid of most. For him, that means overcoming obstacles to continue making the kind of music he wants to make.
  • Written by Hunter Hayes with Bonnie Baker and Katrina Elam, "Invisible" reveals some of the bullying Hunter Hayes experienced while growing up and turns it into a song of hope for the legions of fans >> Lyric Video
  • Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band are among the artists covering Elton John songs as part of a new box set celebrating Elton's 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Hunter takes on the title track while The Band Perry contributes their take on Elton's song "Grey Seal." Zac Brown Band closes out the project with "Harmony." Ed Sheeran, Miguel and Fall Out Boy are also included on the tribute project. The new box set includes the full remastered Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, a CD of an Elton concert from 1973 and a DVD chronicling the making of the album, titled Elton John and Bernie Taupin Say Goodbye to Norma Jean and Other Things. Look for the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road reissue to hit stores March 25 (Pre-order and further details at Amazon.com)
  • Hannah Belle, a 2013 Country Music Association emerging artist, will unveil her latest CD and the first video from the project on Thursday, February 6th at the Grand Hotel Ballroom in Natchez, Mississippi. Hannah Belle said her new release, titled “Preacher’s Daughter” is like a peak into her private journal. It was recorded at Nashville’s Funhouse Studios with former George Jones band leader, Ernie Rowell, producing, and some of Music City’s top players adding their expert musical touches.
  • Miranda Lambert's new single, "Automatic," is hitting the airwaves this coming Wednesday, February 5.  Miranda co-wrote the autobiographical song about her childhood in Texas. The lyrics include a nod to her days of recording the country countdown show on her cassette recorder, going to Dallas to buy an Easter dress, and learning to drive the '55 Chevy her dad bought for her. Miranda says of "Automatic," "It’s about slowing down, taking a breath and remembering what it’s like to live life a little more simply. It’s not about going back, but reminiscing about what it was like to hang laundry on the line and wait for it to dry." She adds, "The song brings back good memories and it reminds me to take a deep breath and to remember that getting there is half the fun.” "Automatic is the lead single from Miranda's new album, due out later this year. 
 PRESS RELEASES
  • Red River Entertainment recording artists, Grits & Glamour (Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan), the royal women of country, filmed their “I Am A Woman” music video (directed by Chuck Jones and Keech Rainwate) to complement their current sophomore single release from the duo's critically acclaimed collaborative album DOS DIVAS. Photos + Stream/ Download the new single (192kbps MP3)
  • Dolly Parton, is set to kick off her “Blue Smoke World Tour” Friday, January 24, in Rancho Mirage, California.  In addition this, Parton announced shows in Tamworth and Cairns being added to the Australian leg of the tour, both shows are already sold out!
  • Brantley Gilbert will headline the Great American Outdoor Show presented by NRA Country on Saturday, February 8th.
  • Kenny Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA) at its annual conference on Jan 14th.
  • CMT will serve as the exclusive national TV partner for the 19th annual Kicker Country Stampede this summer in June at Tuttle Creek State Park in Manhattan, Kansas.
  • The world renowned Johnny Cash Museum
    (JCM) prepares a first for Music City this February with the Johnny Cash Birthday Bash to mark his 82nd birthday. In a three day event kicking off February 28th, fans will be treated to appearances by Johnny Cash family members and former band members.Tickets for the celebration are $55 and can be purchased online at - johnnycashbirthday.com
  • Music City Media Artists (Marty Brown, David Shelby, George Ducan and Susan Toney) available for CRS (Country Radio Seminar) interviews.
  • Dierks Bentley released more details about his forthcoming Album, Riser. (Press Release and Audio)
  • Randy Houser’s fresh new music video for his latest smash single “Goodnight Kiss” premiered exclusively across CMT platforms.
  • Oak Ridge Boys ink deal with Cleopatra Records to release their first ever Live Country Album!
  • Lizzie Sider, 15-year old emerging Country artist, is continuing her tour of elementary and middle schools, by conducting her Bully Prevention Assembly at over 100 schools during January, February and March of 2014, throughout the entire State of Florida.
  • The 19th Annual Kicker Country Stampede announced even more artists to its all-star line-up! Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Easton Corbin, Will Hoge and The Railers will hit the stage June 26-29, 2014.
  • Rhonda Vincent “the new queen of bluegrass” by the Wall Street Journal – set to release her new two-disc album Only Me on January 28, 2014.
  • Bryan Sutton returns to Sugar Hill Records with his fourth solo release, INTO MY OWN, available April 29, 2014 - Tracklisting  & info
  • Matt Farris received first-time Nomination from New Music Weekly
  • Rural Rhythm Records announced the new single from Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie. Written by Sweet Dixie member and featured vocalist Chris Stifel, the single “Dancin’ Annie
  • The Americana Music Association congratulated Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell who took home a Grammy Award in the Best Americana Album for their critically acclaimed duets record Old Yellow Moon.
  • Bellamy Brothers go global with 2014 International Tour (Tour Dates in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Switzerland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Australia and New Caledonia)
  • Darius Rucker makes us all "True Believers" after taking home a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance.
  • Vince Gill and steel guitar legend Paul Franklin will perform on ABC’s “The View” on Thursday, Feb. 6, and on FOX Business Network’s “Imus in the Morning” on Friday, Feb. 7, in support of their album Bakersfield: Deluxe Edition.

ARTICLES

  • CMA Close Up by Bob Doerschuk New Artist Spotlight: Logan Brill
  • CMA Close Up Ronnie Milsap Looks Forward to the Past by Bob Doerschuk
  • Pop Matters The Beautification of Country Stars by Dave Heaton …..You can call 2013 the “year of the woman” in country music or the “year of men singing about partying by the creek”. Or the year that country-music album covers all looked like advertisements torn from fashion or lifestyle magazines.This didn’t start in 2013, though, but it is the direction country has been headed in. To look at all of Tim McGraw’s album covers lined up in a row is to watch the small-town cowboy turn into a fashion icon, without losing his hat.......
  • American Songwriter: Susan Cattaneo’s Songwriting Course: Abracadabra...When people hear that I teach Songwriting, I often get the question, “Songwriting? How do you teach Songwriting?” For some reason, there’s this misconception that it happens magically for a chosen creative few. Somewhere up in the ether, the great and powerful songwriting magician touches some soul with his wand and voila, a great song hops out of the hat.The truth is that songwriting (like any skill) is something that you can learn, work on and improve upon.
  • The Standard: Ten things to love about Taylor Swift…..She used to be a bit naff but now that Taylor Swift has transformed into a pop princess we can all welcome her back to town, says David Smyth....As of tomorrow, London becomes Taylortown for five nights when the first lady of country pop arrives at the O2. Taylor Swift might once have been of interest only to the nation’s teenage girls, but I can’t be the only cynic to be converted to her cause. In early videos she looked like little more than the latest country cliché, mooning around waiting for a goon in a pick-up truck. But over the course of four albums she’s transformed from a somewhat sickly cowgirl to a sharp pop dynamo....
  • Billboard 615: Carrie Underwood Says Women Aren't Getting a Fair Shake in Country Music: 'You Would Think We'd Be Farther Along'..."There seems to be room for only a few" popular females on radio, Underwood says. "I don't think women can get away with the partying, truck-driving kind of music that a lot of the guys have gotten away with lately".....Suzy Bogguss, who had her hits in the early ’90s at a time female artists were flourishing on the radio—including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea, Patty Loveless and Lorrie Morgan, who collectively turned the derogatory term "chick singer" into something Bogguss says "meant you had some balls."“When that radio door opened, it let so many of us through,” she recalls of that time. “I felt at the time that [female listeners] really wanted us to speak about things they related to, and a lot of us did. One of the things we’ve gotta hope for is that the tide will turn and female fans will continue to speak up and say, ‘We need some real material here.’”...
  • Chris Young: Tennessee-born and bred Chris Young was destined to be a country singer. It’s in his blood and he’s spent his young life studying the music and all of the great country artists of the past. He brings his rich baritone and exciting live show to Country 2 Country at London’s O2 Arena on Sunday March 16, 2014..Read more of this Alan Cackett article  

REVIEWS

Alan Cackett.com The Everly Brothers - Songs Our Daddy Taught Us: A Journey into the roots of the Everly Brothers … and Americana music! (Bear Family BCD 17355 BG)
Alan Cackett.com The Everly Brothers - First Published August 1973 (Country Music People)

Brad Paisley interview/feature - Originally planned for the cover feature of the March/April issue of Maverick and even secured some exclusive high quality photo....Country singer Brad Paisley returns to the UK in March to headline the Country To Country Festival at London’s O2 Arena. He told me it’s a great thrill to be coming back “I think it’s a neat country. I’ve had such a wonderful time just getting to meet everybody. I tried shepherds pie for the first time.” Here I catch up on his career and how it led up to last year’s amazing WHEELHOUSE album. Sometimes in making music, and even in writing about music, you have to stand way out there on the parapet, occasionally a lonely figure on the edge. It’s been my way ever since I started writing about my favourite music way back in the mid-1960s. Though I love a lot of commercial acts and bask in their success, quite often you’ll find that I was into their music long before the masses caught up with them....Read More alancackett.com

Ronnie Dunn - Starting from the Bottom Again..Extract: Embarking on a solo career, even after a highly successful period in an act like Brooks & Dunn, meant that Ronnie Dunn was starting all over again. For a man closing in on 60 that was no easy task. He was packed off by his label to do the usual radio tour that all ‘new’ acts in country music undertake. When it came to doing live shows, it wasn’t the big arena venues and a convoy of ten trucks and buses that took the Brooks & Dunn entourage across the highways of America. No sir! Ronnie Dunn was now playing small clubs and he and his band members were travelling the old-fashioned way with a car and a trailer for the instruments…Read More www.alancackett.com

INTERVIEWS
The Boot: Rhonda Vincent Interview: The Queen of Bluegrass Talks New Album, Defying Stereotypes + More

>> Listen to this edited Lee Williams CMR Nashville interview with rising UK star Sam Hollyman which was first broadcast on Jan 24, 2014. 

Sam’s new single "Where I Wanna Be" has been #1 on the British & Irish Hotdisc chart for 3-weeks. He talks about his start in music and his new album The RED REEL SESSIONS.

MAGAZINES

Did you pick up January’s UK Country Music People magazine publication?

The January issue has a cover feature on Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke, a Critics Choice Annual Round-up of the 2013 country music albums and full listings on the 2013 reviews and features.
Click to read
  • Editor Duncan Warwick pays a personal tribute regarding the loss of his all-time favourite country singer Ray Price
    which is included in the 8-page tribute in the Country Music People February issue (available in W.H.Smith at £4 or online at uniquemagazines.co.uk). Running with a retro always looking back Brit tendency it also has features on Ronny Milsap, Phil Everly &  Joe Ely and a new "This Month In Country" spot tracking musical milestones from years ago. Their CD of the Month is the #1 Billboard Country Album from late 2013 with the Garth Brooks’ Walmart Boxset titled "Blame It All On My Roots".
  • Country Legends Magazine Winter 2013-2014 - Click to READ
  • Cowgirls In Style CIS Valentine Online Issue, The February/March, Valentine online issue of Cowgirls In Style Magazine is now up! - Click to READ
  • MUSIC NEWS Scotland (Jan 24th onwards) - Click to READ
  • Proper Records Folk/Rock Releases (BBC Folk Awards 2014, Suzy Bogguss, Emily Smith, Henry Priestman etc - Click to READ

LISTEN

Exclusive Album Stream NPR First Listen: Eric Church, THE OUTSIDERS...All of Church's 12 tracks from The Outsiders can be heard, including the lead single and title track.

Hit or Miss: Blurb: Erica Nicole’s newest single, “I Listen To My Bad Girl,” is taking her music to a whole new level. Written by Debbie Pascarella and Dani Jamieson, “I Listen to My Bad Girl” tells of that little voice inside a women’s mind, to just go and have fun! A complete reinvention of her sound, Erica is breaking out of her mold and showing the world what she’s musically capable of producing. What you see and hear in her new single, “I Listen to My Bad Girl,” showcases Erica’s vocal and musical strength, and working alongside producer Kent Wells of Nashville, TN, you hear that classic Nashville sound only Nashville musicians can give you. In the new single, Erica is completely redefining her style and attitude. “I am finally getting to be me. I am finally comfortable with who I am as a person in my own skin. It’s not so much the new me; it’s the real me. My new songs allow me to share more of myself with my audience and fan base,” said Erica. www.ericanicolemusic.com

Exclusive Album Stream: Irene KelleyPennsylvania Coal. Irene is a gem of a singer-songwriter. On February 11, this coal miner’s granddaughter will salute her home state with Pennsylvania Coal her first new collection of original songs in more than a decade.

Exclusive: Lydia Loveless Gets Raunchy on New Single "Head"

WATCH
  • Tyler Farr releases his steamy new video for "Whiskey in My Water", but you won't find Tyler stripping down for any of the love scenes. He hired actors to play the couple in the clip.
  • Keith Urban's new video for "Cop Car" debuted on Vevo, just hours after he performed the song on the Grammy Awards Sunday night. The clip fleshes out the song's storyline of a couple falling in love while getting arrested for trespassing.
  • Kelleigh Bannen, country newcomer shows off her acting skills in the video for her new single, "Famous." After finding her man cheating, Kelleigh speeds off to warn everybody in town about his no-good ways. The video and song offer a playful take on the classic lover's revenge tale.
  • Taylor Swift performing 'All Too Well' at The Grammy's on Jan 26, 2014

COUNTRY FASHION
Carrie Underwood is partnering up with Revlon as a global brand ambassador for its makeup line Almay. Underwood will represent the full range of Almay products, including the newest 2014 launches. As the face and voice of Almay, she will appear in global, multimedia campaigns spanning television, print, in-store, digital and social platforms.  Underwood’s first campaign will break this week, highlighting her unique style and personality. 
Carrie embraces Almay’s approach to beauty and products," says Julia Goldin, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Revlon, Inc.. "Despite her enormous success, she is still a real girl from Oklahoma at the core and a self-professed makeup junkie who likes to try out new makeup looks in her spare time. Almay makes it easy to play with makeup and helps women look their most beautiful which is why we could not be more excited for her to join the brand.”
Honestly, I could never be associated with a company I didn’t believe in," added Underwood. "I love Almay’s positive approach to beauty because it’s so important to celebrate our natural beauty and enhance what makes us unique. I’m also really impressed by their products, which I use in my daily life and when I’m working. There’s really something for everyone and every occasion – whether you want to get that perfect ‘no-makeup makeup look’ or create a fun, amped up ‘date-night’ smoky eye.”


Kacey Musgraves wowed on the red carpet at the 2014 Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on Sunday (January 26) in Los Angeles, California. The Best New Artist nominee wore an Armani Privé Fall 2013 dress from the ‘Nude’ collection. 






















The soft pink sleeveless gown, featured multiple nude cascading tulle tiers scattered with light gold and silver Swarovski crystals centered around a large bow made the star look feminine and ethereal.

Musgraves added some more sparkle with Forevermark diamonds, Jimmy Choo ‘Lance’ silver shoes and rounded up her romantic look with light makeup, pale lips, a simple side bun - Fashion Pic
Kacey Musgraves Graphic (Click To ENLARGE)
Dazzling & Daring: She performed her hit "Follow Your Arrow" in a colorful A-line short-short flared dress with gold tassels all along the hem and a bright fuchsia halter top, heavily embellished with jewels and studs. She donned a pair of electrified light-up boots while surrounded by a forest of neon cacti with a set heavily decorated like a Mexican restaurant. The songstress’ cowgirl boots had some type of lighting technology within them blinking on and off like Christmas lights her band wore suits with the same light-up technology on their coats. The 25-year-old “Merry Go Round” was somewhat overly studded…Moulin Rouge… the cowboy version?! However she once again showed off those enviable pins. Please, no blowin' smoke: Going up to receive her Grammy Award she struggled to shut that super-short, curtain-inspired skirt Winning best country album - Press room Pic (Daily Mail)

Nominated for two best country song Grammy awards Singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander had a fashion fail in a striped, wide-legged jumpsuit disaster. It looked like she was wearing PJ's and the legs were so long she could have been wearing big fluffy slippers when she was actually wearing open-toe pumps. Jessi joined celebrities Madonna and Yoko Ono, who went with chic jacket-and-pants suits standing out by wearing a boyish trend.





















Martina McBride attended the 56th Grammys opting for a no-frills navy evening dress by David Meister when she attended the Grammys. The high neck column gown was an ode to clean lines and minimalism whilst having geometric panel details. Promoting her forthcoming album ‘Everlasting’, Martina added a bit of bling to her look with sparkly jewels by John Hardy and an equally glamorous Oroton ‘Opera’ clutch.  A smokey eye, nude lip gloss and voluminous hair with sexy curls and side-swept bangs completed her look - Image - Image

Miranda Lambert attended the 56th Grammys looking gorgeous and super elegant (with a hint of sexiness) in a low-cut red Pamela Rolland gown. The design’s deep cleavage, sheer shoulders and satin waist accentuated the star’s curves and the dramatic silver and green earrings brought out her turquoise eyes. Soft waves and bright red lips added to her perfect look - Image - Image Hubby Blake Shelton was there by her side in neat jeans, a mismatched blazer, tie and vest.  Miranda later performed on stage alongside Billie Joe Armstrong (Photo), and the duo performed a moving rendition of The Everly Brothers' song When Will I Be Loved.

Taylor Swift attended the GRAMMY Awards joining Jennifer Hudson on the red carpet for Clive Davis’ annual Pre-Grammy Gala event held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday (January 25) in Beverly Hills, California.
Sticking to what she does best; short and sparkly, the singer wore a Zuhair Murad Resort 2013 black long sleeve opaque beaded dress with open back and flounce hemline. Her flirty frock was styled with Bionda Castana ‘Langley’ black suede heels, swapping out her favoured red lip for a pretty pink lip shade. Kohl-rimmed eyes, short geo-shaped onyx drop earrings and a wavy side ponytail rounded out her look - Fashion Pic

Four-time nominee Taylor Swift was every bit a statuesque golden girl at the 2014 Grammy Awards, even before the show got underway at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday (January 26). She stunned in a Gucci Première gold lamé, short-sleeve fitted gown featuring a crystal mesh overlay and crystal gemstone detail at the neckline, arms and waist. Softening the glittery effect, she pulled her blonde locks into a side-parted ponytail and painted on a pretty pink pout.

Like Katy Perry, Taylor Swift also did a quick change from her Gucci arrival look for her performance on stage at the 2014 Grammy Awards on Sunday (January 26) with a live rendition of her own song, “All Too Well”.
 Taylor’s second look was a Demi-Couture dress from Alberta Ferretti’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection. The grey chiffon gown – featuring cascading layered ruffles on the skirt, embellishments in the form of a diamanté bodice, and a bejewelled shoulder detail – looked ethereal as it flowed around her while she was seated at the piano. 

Still staying away from her signature red lip, she complemented the look with pink lips, shimmering eye makeup and Cathy Waterman platinum-and-diamond lace-edged earrings - Fashion Pic (Getty Images)
Yet another notable Grammys moment for Taylor came when she thought she had won Album of the Year, when in fact it was awarded to Daft Punk. The confusion arose due to the fact that both Taylor's album Red and Daft Punk's Random Access Memories both begin with an 'R' - leading to a similar sound when the winner was revealed! A video showing Taylor's initial elation at thinking she had won went viral.

Rock and rollers: Willie Nelson arrived Image in a black ensemble with hat, Keith Urban Image looked relaxed ahead of his performance.
See all the 2014 Grammy Awards red carpet fashion and tons of pics at Daily Mail.co.uk

Racy in leather: LeAnn Rimes wowed in a plunging, punk-rock style dress and purple lipstick at the Billboard Power 100 event with husband Eddie Cibrian on Thursday - Image Glamour and glitz: The 31-year-old singer turned heads in two very grown-up and provocative gowns at the MusiCares Person Of The Year event - Image

Miley Cyrus gave us a new brand of no-holds-barred style—cowboy style—at a ‘Miley Cyrus: MTV Unplugged’ performance at Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood, California on Tuesday (January 28). The songstress turned hip-hop cowgirl in quite the conglomeration from the Asish Spring 2014 collection, featuring an oversized, distressed and embellished jean jacket and equally tattered, yet glittered and glam, baggy trousers. Of course, she brought in a good dose of skin, wearing the jacket over a matching bra. White boots and a decoratively accented cowboy hat, covering her platinum blonde ’do, were mandatory on this occasion to fully deliver on the wild western vibe - Fashion Pic

After Taylor Swift worked up a solid sweat notoriously dancing the night away at Sunday's Grammy Awards. So a first class sleep on a long-haul flight from Los Angeles to London may have in fact been a blessing. The 24-year-old songstress was spotted on a sprightly march towards LAX on Tuesday (Jan 28). Dressed in a particularly slimming ensemble made up of skinny leg maroon jeans and a tight Ralph Lauren blue turtleneck sweater (available at farfetch.com), the starlet showed off her tiny physique as she strode through a parking lot. She paid homage to her country music ties with a pair of Rag & Bone brown cowboy-inspired ankle booties (image), whilst carrying a chic Dolce & Gabbana black leather handbag on her arm. The I Knew You Were Trouble singer had her famous blonde tresses intricately styled in neat waves and a dash of red lipstick for good measure, but hid her eyes behind dark Ray-Ban Wayfarers sunglasses - Image

Taylor is painting London RED. Ed Sheeran joined Taylor on stage as her special guest for her first night at the O2 Arena in London, England. Instead of singing their duet together, the musical besties sang Ed’s song “Lego House.” Taylor is seen wearing a Joseph Cassell custom tee Miu Miu ‘Glitter Finished Leather Brogues’ (image)

COUNTRY GOSSIP
  • Mile-High Club: Eric Decker in Spring's Best Distressed Jeans When Denver’s newly ascendant star Eric Decker isn’t wearing his Broncos uniform, he’s kicking back in jeans with his (pregnant!) country-singer wife, Jessie James.
  • Sam Hunt’s a Nashville songwriter who wrote Keith Urban's new single, ‘Cop Car’ but after Keith performed it Sunday, Sam tweeted, “everything I poured into that song was stolen from me. I unfortunately can't celebrate it being on the Grammy’s.” Some speculate he didn’t think Keith’s version had passion.
  • Taylor Swift says Prince William convinced her to join him and Jon Bon Jovi on stage for a performance. The trio famously collaborated on the rock band's hit 'Livin' On A Prayer' - one of the Duke of Cambridge's favourite karaoke tracks - and she insisted he asked her to join him. She explained: "Jon Bon Jovi got up to perform and he called Prince William out because he'd heard he loves singing 'Livin' On A Prayer' on karaoke nights ... Prince William looked at me and said, 'I'll do it if you do it, too', and then he took my hand. "I was surprised and flattered and it felt surreal and completely natural at the same time. We jumped on stage and started to sing and we were really yelling into the microphone and clapping hands. I still can't believe I've sung with Prince William."
  • 'Country Strong' and 'Iron Man 3' actress Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are selling their £7 million London home. The couple are moving out of the upmarket area of Belsize Park in North London after a series of arguments with their neighbours, who are upset by constant modifications to their property. A local told the Daily Star newspaper: "We have had years of their building works. They have taken down trees so they can park their flash cars in the driveway and they put a huge swimming pool in the back garden."
  • Dang Fellas: Kacey Musgraves boyfriend is...fellow band member Misa Arriaga.

TWEETS

Taylor Swift: First night in London and Ed Sheeran came out to surprise the crowd with 'Lego House'. Earth-shattering screams ensued. What a lad. #redtour

Do You Believe…the Hype? - Glasgow Pop/Country (?) duo Raintown advert appeared on SKY 191 during The Smith & Rogers Country on Sunday 26th 2014.

After:


PHOTO
I Wanna Shake Your Hand: An insider reports it was Paul McCartney (l) seeking out Hunter Hayes backstage at Sunday's Grammys ... not the other way around! Image
Taylor Swift 2 Days till she paints London red - Image
Wills & Kate don Cowboy Hats - Image

BIRTHDAYS
January 27: Buddy Emmons (1937), Tracy Lawrence (1938), Cheryl White (Whites) (1955), Eddie Bayers (Drummer)
January 30: Patricia Conroy (1964), Tammy Cochran (1972)
February 1: Don Everly (1937), Del McCoury (1939), Julie Roberts (1979) 
February 2: Howard Bellamy (1946), Susan McCann (1949)
February 3: Matraca Berg (1964), Jessica Harp (1982)
February 4: Clint Black (1962),
February 5: Sara Evans (1971), Pam Gadd (1960), the late Claude King (Feb 5, 1923 - Died March 7, 2013; aged 90)
February 6: Anita Cochran (1967), Richie McDonald (Lonestar) (1962), 
February 7: Garth Brooks (1962)
February 8: Victoria Banks (1973), Tom Russell (1955), Dan Seals (1948)
February 9:  The late Stompin' Tom Connors (Feb 9, 1936 - Died March 6, 2013; aged 77), Joe Ely (1947), Danni Leigh (1970), Travis Tritt (1963), the late Ernest Tubb (Feb 9, 1914 - Died September 6, 1984; aged 70)

R.I.P
Pete Seeger, the banjo-picking troubadour who sang for migrant workers, college students and starstruck presidents in a career that introduced generations of Americans to their folk music heritage, has died at the age of 94.
Pete Seeger's grandson, Kitama Cahill-Jackson said his grandfather died at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he'd been for six days. "He was chopping wood 10 days ago," he said.
With his lanky frame, use-worn banjo and full white beard, Seeger was an iconic figure in folk music who outlived his peers. He performed with the great minstrel Woody Guthrie in his younger days and wrote or co-wrote "If I Had a Hammer," ''Turn, Turn, Turn," ''Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine." He lent his voice against Hitler and nuclear power. A cheerful warrior, he typically delivered his broadsides with an affable air and his fingers poised over the strings of his banjo.
Seeger was a 2014 Grammy Awards nominee in the Best Spoken Word category, which Stephen Colbert won.
Many country artists have recorded Seeger's songs, among them: Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Nanci Griffith ("If I Had A Hammer"), Eddy Arnold ("Where Have All The Flowers Gone"), Dolly Parton ("Turn, Turn, Turn" ,"Where Have All The Flowers Gone") and Emmylou Harris ("We Are The Boat"). Read more: Folk singer, activist Pete Seeger dies in New York (Associated Press) - Photo Gallery

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