Country Bites News snippets
July 7 – July 13, 2014
SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED
The Hayley Oliver Band have called it quits and split – See
separate Blog Post.
Tours and Gig dates added for: Mike Ward, Nathan Carter, Ward
Thomas, Kathryn Anderson, Kelly Lee, Jess Morgan, Star Lane, Danni Nicholls,
Gary Quinn, Lucy Ward, Sally Barker, Dougie Maclean and Raymond Froggatt. See Tour Dates Page
UKCountryRadio.com were broadcasting live from the Americana Festival
at a new site at Prestwood Park Airfield nr Loughborough in Leicstershire. The
line up (see flyer) included appearances by Joe Brown, Si Cranstoun, George Hamilton IV (USA) &
Friends, Toni Wille (Nl), Chas’n'dave, The Country Sisters (CZ), Vince Eager
& The Memphis Tones, The Mod All Stars, Bo Walton, T.Rextasy, Quill, Stu
Edwards & Gone Country.
The 24/7 Internet station with its slogan
"Playing the Hottest Country Music for the UK”, chatted to most of the
country music artists performing, as well as keeping an eye on the car and
motorbike competitions and the fashion. They broadcast Chas & Dave's
headlining set live on Sunday afternoon.
 |
| Ward Thomas Graphic - The Americana Festival with UKCountryRadio.com CLICK to ENLARGE |
UKCountryRadio.com’s
CEO Allan Watkiss along with presenter Nutty Norah caught up with twins Ward Thomas (Lizzy &
Catherine) who represented the UK at Aristo CMA Global Artist Party in
Nashville in 2013 and have been upgraded from the “B” to the “A” playlist with their new single “Push
for the Stride”by BBC
Radio 2 joining
Dolly Parton with “Try” for the week commencing July 12, 2014. Their full
debut album FROM WHERE WE STAND (WTW Music Limited) is out July 21st - Amazon UK
Listen to
some of their live stage feed performance and their interview:
UK’s newest Country music duo The Shires who were BBC Radio 2 playlisted kick off
their UK tour with further dates added:
Their new T-Shirts (Image) have arrived! Available to purchase on our tour starting from Pocklington
The Pocklington Arts Centre wrote: The groundswell of interest in
country music in the UK is now officially unstoppable. But one of the acts
helping to make country cooler than ever on this side of the Atlantic aren’t
from Tennessee or Texas, they’re from Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. They look
and sound great, and they’re all set to take their country-influenced music to
the world. Step forward, The Shires. The duo of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes
has swiftly become one of the real buzz bands of 2014….
Their new single “Tonight” (Decca Records) was released on 11th July 2014 - Amazon - UK iTunes - Google Store
It received its first play on BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris
show and they performed it on their National TV debut on Weekend on ITV on July 12th.
For the fashion conscious Crissie Rhodes is wearing “LeAnn” KiBoots (shop) in the cover art. She also owns a pair
of “Janes” shop.kiboots.com
Garth Brooks Rejects Deal To
Save Irish Shows
Garth Brooks turned down a deal that would have seen
the country music star play his five comeback shows in Dublin.
The singer scrapped all his Irish concerts after local
authorities denied permission for two of them. But after tense
behind-the-scenes talks, Dublin City Council on Thursday July 10th put forward
a compromise which would have seen the five shows go ahead - if two of them
were matinees.
But within hours the singer responded by saying two
daytime shows "cannot possibly compare" to a five-night straight run.
His publicist Nancy Seltzer said: "To treat
160,000 people differently than all the rest who will be seeing the show the
way it was meant and created is wrong. "He does not understand why it is
once again put upon him to treat people less than they deserve to be treated
and he still returns to why did they allow five shows to be sold and all these
people to be disappointed.
"It is not his decision; it is, with the greatest
of respect, the city council's."
Concert promoters, Aiken Promotions, also issued a
brief statement stating the option of matinees on Saturday and Sunday was not
feasible. Earlier, Brooks, 52, offered to "swim, fly or crawl" to
Ireland for a meeting with premier Enda
Kenny to try and let the five shows go ahead. "We're still under a
cloud but I hope joy is coming," he said in a press conference streamed
online from Nashville, Tennessee. "I will do whatever it takes except cancelling
on people. If the Prime Minister himself wants me to, I will crawl, swim of fly
over this weekend and sit on my knees and beg."
Garth addresses Ireland >> video check out
the conference live
Blog at irishtimes.com
(10 July) Irish Mirror.ie Related Post: Residents
agree deal to allow the five Garth Brooks concerts to go ahead at Croke Park
Brooks writes in a letter to
promoter Peter Aiken
published in the Irish Independent. "If you think that for any reason that
the ‘powers that be’ in Ireland can fix this, then I will faithfully go to the
last second." Read Brooks' full
letter here.
Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling:
Team Brooks can't get Taoiseach on phone during a busy
day - See more at: independent.ie
"We have tried to reach out but his immediate
camp has not heard anything back yet," said a source close to Brooks. It
is understood an email was sent to Mr Kenny in the hope of getting an agreement
to allow the five cancelled concerts to take place later this month. However it
seemed there had been little movement. "We believe he has a lot on his
plate today forming a new government," added the source!
Does Pete Kennedy have “Friends
in High Places”!
Irish premier Enda Kenny also received a mobile phone call from Irish country singer songwriter Pete Kennedy (no relation to John F.) who is based in Nashville. "I received a very warm reception and I phoned them and explained in detail to them the scale of the situation, and they listened, basically," said Kennedy. "And I asked them to please do everything they possibly can in the interest of our national reputation," he added.
Irish premier Enda Kenny also received a mobile phone call from Irish country singer songwriter Pete Kennedy (no relation to John F.) who is based in Nashville. "I received a very warm reception and I phoned them and explained in detail to them the scale of the situation, and they listened, basically," said Kennedy. "And I asked them to please do everything they possibly can in the interest of our national reputation," he added.
As an “award-winning” country musician based in
Nashville, Pete said he felt a responsibility to personally phone the
Taoiseach. "In the interest of the Irish music industry and the economy
and for us to be able to show the world that we are open, willing and able to
facilitate any major event and to be welcoming, I felt a responsibility to call
An Taoiseach," Mr Kennedy said.
It is understood that after Mr Kennedy rang Mr Kenny's
personal mobile, he then received a phone call from the Taoiseach's private
secretary, the conversation lasted about 15 minutes.
Mr Kennedy also attempted to make contact with the
newly appointed Minister for Arts, Heather Humphries, but he was unsuccessful.
About: Pete Kennedy, the Birr, County Offaly, Republic of Ireland native is a 2 time BRITISH Country Music Award recipient. The 2013 Album of the Year winner who is managed by Lee Williams (the CEO of CMR Nashville and on the committee of the British Country Music Awards) released his latest album, I AM THE ONE on US iTunes in America back on May 6, 2014 as “an introduction to” in "New and Noteworthy" category which he described as a career highlight. The 13 Track album includes all the tracks (apart from “Until the Lights Go Out”) from 2 previously released EP’s “The Nashville Sessions Vol.1 & Vol. 2” which gained back-to-back UK “Album of the Year” honours at the British Country Music Awards (BCMAwards). Neither of the two EP’s have troubled the iTunes UK Top 1500 Country Albums list and are currently ranked at #431,108 and #503,068 in Music respectively on Amazon UK . Kennedy a towering Irish heartthrob earned his first Hotdisc British & Irish No.1 after six attempts when “Love Like That” reigned for 3 weeks from the chart week Oct 13, 2013 and peaked at No.3 on the Top 40.
- Ireland shows definitely off, says a 'crushed' Brooks: Five Garth
Brooks concerts planned for later this month at Croke Park are definitely
off. After learning that Dublin's city council could not change its ruling
denying permits for two of the five shows, which were to run from July
25-29, Brooks issued a statement saying Ticketmaster would begin refunds
for the 400,000 purchased tickets - "I just received the news the
Dublin City Council cannot change their earlier ruling to not allow the
licenses for all five shows," Brooks said in a written statement.
"To say I am crushed is an understatement. All
I see is my mother's face and I hear her voice. She always said things happen
for a reason and for the right reason”. Read Garth Brooks' statement in
its entirety: USA Today
- Ticketmaster has brought in extra staff to handle
the unprecedentedly large refund process, beginning Monday (7/14), which
is expected to incur a significant cost. More on the refunds here ticketmaster.ie
- Hitler Reacts to Garth Brooks'
Cancelled Gigs (an
adaption of a clip from "Downfall" (Der Untergang) (2004) with
Swiss actor Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler in is final days >> YouTube
A Nashville style songwriter evening with Grammy &
CMA Nominee, James House, BCMA song of the year winner, Gary Quinn and BCMA
Horizon Act of the year, Luke & Mel. James House, Gary Quinn, Luke &
Mel and Lucy May.
Tickets £10 on the door, £11 adv Event Detail - Directions
London country-pop artist Lucy May be singing and talking about her songs at The Troubadour
on 21st July.
Aptly during May she had a “amazing month” spending a week
in Nashville writing with song writer Jeff Cohen (the man behind some of the
hits for The Band Perry and Sugarland) and finished her album and also got to
sing in the famous Bluebird Café (pictured with UK duo Ward Thomas) which was
a dream come true for her.
On her return she then went on tour with Michael
Bolton (photo) for 3 weeks across the UK and
Ireland including The Royal Albert Hall! – “I literally feel like I’ve been in
a dream and someone needs to pinch me!! I’ve loved every minute of it”!
Lucy who was described as “The UK's newest country
star" by Sir Terry Wogan" released her debut single 'Paper Heart'
(Lola Records – UK iTunes >> Video) back on Jan 13, 2013. It was added to the BBC Radio
2 “C” playlist between Dec 8, 2012 to Jan 12, 2013 joining Lady Antebellum’s “On
This Winter's Night”
'Paper Heart' with its catchy hook and the lyrics
first made the airwaves when it was released by the American country duo
Stealing Angels (which includes Jennifer Wayne, the Granddaughter of John
Wayne, and Tayla Lynn the granddaughter of Loretta Lynn). It was produced by
Greg Fitzgerald (Kylie, Madonna, Hall & Oates, and Jessica Simpson)
Lucy said she “admires people like Adele, Beyonce,
Taylor Swift and Dusty Springfield, true artists that have worked hard."
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top
100 Singles Chart (Week
Ending July 19, 2014)
Dolly Parton The
Queen of Country who dazzled at Glastonbury saw her best-loved song “Jolene” (RCA) fall 52-96 in the songs 17th week on the chart.
Official UK Top
100 Album Chart (Week
Ending July 19, 2014)
Dolly Parton with BLUE
SMOKE / THE BEST OF (Masterworks) climbed 4-3 selling 18,568
copies (down 34% on the previous weeks 28,256 copies) in her fifth week with a
tally of 95,629. A fortnight after her show stopping Glastonbury
performance Dolly has reached another career “mountain high” with her highest
charting UK album of the US superstar’s career just two places short of the
summit.
THE
VERY BEST OF Dolly Parton (a Sony/BMG 2007 compilation) fell 41-76 (sales around 1,000 copies) in
this sets now 82nd chart frame.
Official UK
Country Album Chart (Week
Ending July 19, 2014)
Kacey Musgraves who has been on tour in the UK saw SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK
(Decca) return to the top of the chart in her 65th chart frame.
Johnny Cash with OUT
AMONG THE STARS (Columbia) slipped 2-1 after enjoying 14 weeks at No.1.
The Old Crow Medicine Show with REMEDY (ATO) moved 2-3 in their second week.
Willie Nelson with BAND
OF BROTHERS held at NO.4 in his fourth week
Miranda Lambert with PLATINUM
(RCA) remained at No.6 in her sixth week.
Dolly Parton’s standard new bluegrass BLUE SMOKE (Masterworks) falls off the top 20 from last weeks No.7
UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Albums
(Last updated July 16, 2014)
Dolly Parton’s album
BLUE SMOKE/ THE BEST OF pairing remains at the peak of the summit
with THE VERY BEST OF holding firm
at No.3.
The new Sony compilation American Heartland: Legends of Country stays at No.2 following TV
and now UK country radio promotion.
The ABC TV series Nashville soundtracks are attracting
attention with The Music of
Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol. 2 holding at #4 with
the Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol.1 moving 6-8.
Kacey Musgraves with SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK holds at #5.
The highest charting UK act is Ward Thomas leap up 33-5
with their soon be released debut album FROM
WHERE WE STAND.
The Irish contingent is led by Nathan Carter
with WAGON WHEEL as it rebounds
#91-48.
Miranda Lambert
with PLATINUM the current No1 country
album in America falls 12-25
1 Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke/
The Best Of
2 Various Artists - American
Heartland: Legends of Country
3 Dolly Parton - The Very
Best of Dolly Parton
4 Various Artists - The
Music of Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol. 2 (Deluxe)
5 Kacey Musgraves - Same
Trailer Different Park
6 Johnny Cash - The Man
Comes Around
7 Lady Antebellum - Need
You Now
8 Various Artists - The
Music of Nashville - Season 1, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)
9 Ward Thomas - From Where
We Stand
10 Various Artists The No.1
Country Hits Collection – 100 Greatest Country Hits
UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Singles (Last updated July 16, 2014)
Queen of Country Dolly Parton
continues to dominate the Top 20 with 8 songs (retro hits + “Try” BBC Radio 2
“A” playlisted)
As the season 2 Nashville
TV drama ends on More 4 the stars post 4 tracks with Hayden Panettiere’s “Don’t Put Dirt
On My Grave Just Yet” the highest falling 7-12.
Ward Thomas with their new BBC Radio 2 now “A” playlisted
single “Push For the Stride” moved 45-5 from the album FROM WHERE WE STAND
which drops on July 21st (iTunes) . Their UK Radio 2 pals The Shires
appear at No.9 with “Tonight” (Decca) released on July 11, 2014 on UK iTunes.
Taylor Swift’s Pop/country
songs still continue to make a showing with 4 tracks from the 22-year old
starlet.
1 Dolly Parton - Jolene
2 Dolly Parton - 9 To 5
3 Dolly Parton & Kenny
Rogers - Islands In the Stream
4 Dolly Parton - Try
5 Ward Thomas - Push For
the Stride
6 Lady Antebellum - Need
You Now
7 Taylor Swift - I Knew You
Were Trouble.
8 Dolly Parton - Jolene
(Single Version)
9 The Shires - Tonight
10 Taylor Swift - Love
Story
11 Dolly Parton - Blue
Smoke
12 Hayden
Panettiere - Don't Put Dirt On My Grave Just Yet
13 Nashville
Cast - It Ain't Yours To Throw Away (feat. Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio)
14 Jace Everett - Bad
Things
15 Nashville
Cast - Black Roses (feat. Clare Bowen) [Full Band Version]
16 Dolly Parton - 9 To 5
17 Taylor Swift - We Are
Never Ever Getting Back Together
18 Lennon Stella
& Maisy Stella - Ho Hey
19 Dolly Parton & Kenny
Rogers - Islands in the Stream
20 Taylor Swift - Everything
Has Changed (feat. Ed Sheeran)
On the Hotdisc Chart (July 13, 2014 Chart)
With new tracks from the July 2014 #187 promotional
Hotdisc impacting the chart saw a brand new No.1 at the top of the Hotdisc Top 40 chart with a new entry from
US bluegrass brother and sister duo The Roys (Elaine &
Lee Roy)
blowing in at the summit with
"No More Lonely"
(co-written with Steve Dean). They last topped the chart when “Coal Minin' Man” held at 2 weeks back
in
Feb
13, 2011. Their other singles were: “Trail Blazer” (HD161 peaked a #5) , “Still Standing” (HD165
peaked at #2) and “Gypsy Runaway Train” (HD173 peaked at #4 in June 2013)
The Roys were one slot ahead of the surprise hit by Jim Reeves
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death. "Distant Drums " (2014) written by Cindy Walker, with its brand
new backing made a bow at No.2. with the traditionalist biased Hotdisc radio
DJs and purist pundits rating it highly.
Sawyer Brown slipped back 1-3 after opening 3-weeks at No.1
with "Walk Out Of The Rain".
Five new tracks made the top 20:
4 were US acts Gracia Harrison with “Jezebel” (written by Beverly Hensley) made a No.14 debut,
singer-songwriter James House (on tour in the UK) arrived at No.15
with “Train Wreck” (co-written with
Adam Ekerdsley) following on from the first single “Every Time It Rains” from
his album BROKEN GLASS TWISTED STEEL which peaked at No.11. Southern artist Brian Collins
made his Hotdisc debut at No.16 with his great new self penned single “Never Really Left” drawn from his
impressive Kickstarter crowd funded album HEALING
HIGHWAY. The attractive SaraBeth who will be visiting UK shores later in
the year saw her single "That's The
Sound" (>> Video
written by Marty Dodson, Laurie Killian and Dean Sams) land at No.19.
Britain’s Tony
Clark blew in at No.18 with his self composed “Put That Country Song On”
which is the follow up to his British & Irish Hotdisc No.1 which reached
No12 on the top 40 with “You & Me”. It was not enough to dislodge Mim
Grey’s soulful “The Ways Of Love” which fell 8-13 but enjoyed a second week at
No.1 on the British standings.
Of note:
New to me Holly May who
has a premier cut on the new promo disc made her debut at No.39 on the top 40
with "Go Big Or Go Home" (written
by Una & Enoch Jensen; >> watch the video) The pretty Holly (photo) has had her single pick up by CMR
Nashville (Europe’s #1 Country radio station) and has also been invited to the
British Country Music Awards celebration to perform in November which is to co-inside
with a European tour! Her 5 track EP was released on April 30, 2014 (Royalz
Media / Enjen Productions) available on UK iTunes with possibly the standout being "I've
Been On The Run". The newbie country/pop “starlet” hails from Charlemont,
MA a mountain and farming town deep in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountain
range and enjoys the mudlife whilst mudding through the woods on her four
wheeler! “Go Big or Go Home” became the corner stone theme behind her team’s
vision. It tied together, not only her musical tone, but also the underlying
attitude and direction of the recording process. Follow her on Twitter
Hotdisc welcomes another
new name as Aussie David Hilgenfeldt (Facebook
Page) whose self penned single “Silver Mine” (>> Watch
video) , produced by Stacy Hogan, made a No.30 entry. The
single is being promoted by Lee Williams’ Django Promotions (CMR Nashville ™
& CMR Hot ™ are trading names). The promoter and CMA International
Broadcaster of the Year for 2013 is pushing for the promo disc lead off track “Catchin' Fireflies” (co-written with
Karen Staley) for the lovely Somerset, New Jersey native Madeline Smith. Her latest single
entered at No.27 following on from her “State Of Mind” Hotdisc HD177 track
which peaked at No.16. Both singles come from self titled 10 track album
released 12th July 2013 available on UK iTunes
CMR Nashville favourite Ace Diamond fell 10-11 with “Baddest
Gunslingin’ Man” as he shoots to attempt to top his #9 peak with former single
“Rockabilly Man”. Check out his European Hotdisc Chart History 2011 - 2014
See if you agree or disagree with how the Hotdisc DJ’s
and industry folks are rating the latest Hotdisc 187 singles by checking out
this Spotify playlist:
UK COUNTRY
ALBUM RELEASES
(13 May 2014) Hannah
Aldridge – Razor Wire (Trodden Black
Entertainment)
(15 July 2014) Jack
Clement - For Once & For All
Six months before Clement died last August, the
producer, singer, songwriter and original Nashville hipster recorded his final
full-length, For Once and for All, a collection of a dozen Clement tunes that
illustrate his ability to write spare, catchy country-folk-pop songs.
(15 July 2014) Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver - Open Carefully: Message Inside [Import]
(15 July 2014) Denver
- Rowdy Love (Mama Bird Recording Co.)
11 Tracks/ Time: 44:02
Alt-Country & Americana
CD
(Aug 4) - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com - Spotify
BLUEGRASS NEWS
Lee Ann Womack and award-winning musician Jerry Douglas have been tapped to co-host the 25th Annual
International Bluegrass Music Awards, Oct. 2, in Raleigh, N.C. The
awards are the most prestigious in the bluegrass field and honor the year’s
outstanding talent as well as new Hall of Fame inductees.
AUSSIE NEWS
Keith Urban just wrapped a run of shows in Australia,
but fans Down Under can still see him perform virtually. Keith has partnered with
ANZ Bank to present a hologram of himself performing his latest single,
"Somewhere in My Car."
Keith tells ABC News Radio with a laugh,
"Somewhere in my hologram, right?" Fans can actually perform the song
onstage with Keith as the hologram travels from city to city over the next few
weeks. Keith sees the hologram as an interesting way to stay connected to fans.
CANADIAN NEWS
Codie Prevost was abducted by an army of large hairy
beasts and forced to play songs in the wilderness. At least that is what
happened in his shiny new >> "All
Kinds of Crazy" music video. "This was one of the
most memorable video shoots I have ever been on," exclaimed Prevost.
"I ordered the costumes from the USA about a week before filming and had
them shipped to my house. Thankfully they arrived on time and were the perfect
size for the band."
Calgary Sun What happens in Vegas …
doesn’t always stay in Vegas……Making
a quick two-day and two-night Calgary Stampede detour from her two-year
residency at Caesar’s Palace in Sin City, Shania
Twain thrilled a capacity crowd during the first of two sold-out concerts
at the Scotiabank Saddledome. As the blistering sun hammered down on 17,000
Bryan Adams fans just up the street at Fort Calgary (that makes two Canadian
icons in our city on the same night), there was a party of a different — but no
less rowdy — kind at the Dome during what was surely the entertainment peak of
the 2014 Calgary Stampede.....After making a grand horseback entrance, and wearing a
Mountie uniform (for real)....Despite the horseback gag, a 13-piece band and
one giant video screen in the middle of the stage, the production and “show”
value was nowhere near where it needed to be for a concert of this magnitude
and ticket price…..
Following her Calgary performances, Shania Twain will return to the Las
Vegas stage for her critically-acclaimed residency show, SHANIA: STILL THE ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars
Palace on Saturday, July 12, 2014. For a
full list of her July Vegas dates click HERE.
NEWS
Country Aircheck's
Insider Artist News:
July 11, 2014 Garth Brooks (Party On?), Blake Shelton, Taylor
Swift, Carrie Underwood, Craig Morgan
July 15, 2014: Miranda Lambert (live), Irish Eyes Aren't Smiling
(Garth Brooks), Little Big Town (album date)
July 18, 2014: Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks (first world date), Tim
McGraw
Country superstar Garth
Brooks has announced he will be releasing a brand-new record
and embarking on a world tour in a press conference in Nashville. Brooks was
pretty cagey with the details on the record and tour, but did explain that he'd
signed with Sony Music's RCA Records, who will distribute and promote his yet,
untitled record, with a release date planned for around November.
The massive star of the '90s said his new music
wouldn't be in line with the popular country dominating the airwaves of today,
and would be more in line with his own style. "If you had to put it in a
box for me, [it'd be] 'Garth Music,'" Brooks said, before adding that this
new music would retain some of the more traditional subject matters of country
music with, ""You're damn straight we'll do cowboys songs on this
album."
Brooks also announced that his music will finally be made available digitally,
but like all the facets of his career, he'll be doing it by his terms and
selling the downloads via his garthbrooks.com website, rather than via an
online retailer like iTunes.
Brooks said that up to now, he had "never
allowed" his music to go digital. That is because he disagrees with iTunes
policy that allows for individual tracks to be bought from albums. Brooks
wanted iTunes to sell his music only in album form, but iTunes head honcho Eddy
Cue wouldn't back down on the company policy of allowing individual track
sales. In fact, he didn't back down when the Beatles finally decided to go
digital, so he held firm with Brooks too.
Although Brooks didn't get into any of his interaction
with iTunes, he said, "We will do our digital the only way we can. Digital
will be handled at garthbrooks.com."
He said the music would be available digitally
"in the next few weeks." He also said that, while he is not giving
away his music, his entire catalog would be available "at a stupid
price."
The world tour Brooks has planned had its first date
announced on Monday July 14th. "Our job is to go out there and fly the
flag for country music," Brooks said, before adding that the scale of the
tour production will be huge. "I've seen the world tour stage. It's
phenomenal."
Brooks announce the first stop to a man in Georgia
named Andy Roberts. Andy went to see
Garth in Las Vegas in January and asked the singer during the show's Q&A
session where he would kick off his world tour. Garth joked that the Vegas
shows were the first stop on the world tour, but Andy wasn't happy with that
answer. Seeing the disappointment on the guy's face, Garth told Andy to leave
his name and number with the show's staff. During his live-streamed press
conference Thursday July 10th , Garth told reporters he'll call Andy Monday and
tell him where the trek is launching.
Garth says, "What Andy chooses to do with that information is up to
him."
A shocked Roberts hearing Garth mention his
name during the press conference reactivated the Twitter account for his
commercial janitorial company, @TFMAndy, and planned to use it to reveal the tour city
on Monday. Andy is President of TurnKey Facility Maintenance a full-service
facility maintenance company specializing in nightly cleaning, day porter
services, floor treatments Atlanta, Georgia
As promised, Garth called Roberts who then called CMT News correspondent Alison Bonaguro and
others to talk about the conversation. So as of right now, here's what we know
about Brooks' comeback tour: It will kick off in Chicago. That's all Roberts got out
of him in a 10-minute phone conversation. So she asked Roberts if they didn't
talk venues and dates, what did they talk about? "He just said, 'Hey,
buddy, this is Garth. I know we haven't talked in a while.' Then he told me how
excited he was to do this, and I told him how much I appreciate being part of
it,"
Garth Brooks will open his comeback world tour at Allstate Arena in Chicago Sept. 4 with Trisha Yearwood.
Tickets go on sale next Friday (25th July) at 10am
through Ticketmaster with a limit of six per person
at $65.50 each.
Andy Roberts tweeted @TFMAndy Chi-town!!!
#AndyfromAtlanta
Chi-town!!! pic.twitter.com/IVwGCvcAbN
— Andy Roberts (@TFMAndy) July 14, 2014
Taylor Swift filmed her role in the movie The Giver quite some time ago, but
she recently go to see the finished product -- and boy, did she like it. "Just
saw a screening of The Giver. Honestly, I can't believe I got to be a part of
something so poignant and beautiful. My head is spinning," she
tweeted.
As previously reported, Taylor plays the small but
crucial role of Rosemary in the movie, based on the popular 1993 young adult
novel of the same name. Her co-stars
include Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep. You'll be able to see Taylor walk the
red carpet at the premiere of the movie on August 11
The Giver hits movie theaters next month, finally
giving fans the chance to see Taylor Swift in her role as Rosemary. The book’s
author, Lois Lowry, has revealed details to MTV about Swift’s role in the film.
“The role in the movie is still a small role,” Lowry said. “But it’s a crucial
and very important one.”
The Band Perry headlined an event to celebrate the
delivery of Air New Zealand's first ever Boeing Dreamliner at the plant near
Seattle. Their performance took place next to the giant airliner which I hear
is made of carbon fiber, making it 20 percent more fuel-efficient than aluminum
planes.
TOURS
According to Pollstar, George Strait has the highest-grossing tour in North America so far
this year with $61.8 million coming in for 26 dates on his final trek, The
Cowboy Rides Away.
Brantley Gilbert's latest album, JUST AS I AM, has been
certified gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The news comes as Brantley announces the second leg of his LET IT RIDE tour,
starting September 19 with special guests Tyler Farr and Aaron Lewis on select
dates. Newcomer Chase Bryant will open all shows.
On July 11 Ashley
Monroe cancelled some upcoming shows due to a severe kidney infection. She was
discharged from the hospital (July 13th) having been treated and reported, "I'm finally feeling some
relief after spending two nights in the hospital. I'm very grateful to everyone for their
prayers and understanding.
AWARDS
Master songsmiths Paul
Craft, Tom Douglas, Gretchen Peters
and John Anderson are the latest inductees into the Nashville
Songwriters Hall of Fame. Songwriters Hall of Famer Pat Alger, who
chairs the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors, announced the new class of
inductees Tuesday July 8th in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame’s physical
space at Music City Center.
The four will be officially inducted during the 44th
Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony
on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Music City Center.
TV
Sarah Darling was essentially voted off of Rising Star on Sunday (July 13),
but her consolation prize wasn’t all bad. She's going to play the Grand Ole
Opry with Brad Paisley on July 18.
Sunday night's show was the start of the duels,
meaning that the 20 contestants who have won on the show so far have to go
head-to-head in mini competitions. As host Josh Groban said, they have to
"win or go home" and "face the wall and each other."
But other than that, there was no pressure at all. Darling
was up against Megan Tibbits, who isn't country but does have one of those
sweet soft voices like Darling's. She also plays about as many instruments as
Hunter Hayes. After her performance, Paisley was impressed by Tibbits' command
of her instruments.
But he was also impressed with Darling's cover of Lee
Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance." He voted yes, and Darling was very
close to beating her competition's score, but she just didn't get there. "Well, it's difficult on a show like this -- with
a style that you have -- for you to project the way that it does when
somebody's more of a gymnast vocally," Paisley told Darling. "But I
thought what you did, you did really, really well."
Then he told her, "Why don't you come to the
Opry, and we'll welcome you home."
He even tweeted the invitation, making it official:
"So I meant it @Sarahdarling -- come to the @Opry friday night and let us
welcome you home to Nashville."
"So I'm a little disappointed about tonight but
really looking forward to playing the Grand Ole Opry with @BradPaisley on Friday,"
she replied, adding that God has something amazing planned for her.
BABY NEWS
Justin Moore and wife Kate welcomed a new baby into
their family on Monday (July 14), and for the third time, they heard “It’s a
girl!” when the bundle of joy was born. “We’re very excited to welcome Rebecca Klein
Moore into the world. Both Mom and
Klein are healthy,” the Moores say in a statement to People. The baby, who is named
after her paternal great-grandmother, will be called by her middle name. Klein
weighed in at 6 lbs., 13 oz. at birth and was 19 and a quarter inches long. The
sweet baby joins big sisters Kennedy Faye, 2.5, and Ella Kole, 4.
MUSIC NEWS
It looks as though Mario Gotze is not the only German star getting all the attention
this morning as his girlfriend, Ann-Kathrin
Brommel (Selfie Image - Image - Image) has been making headlines this
morning, too. Brommel stole her boyfriend's spotlight after sharing a kiss with
her goal-scoring boyfriend on the pitch during the World Cup final in Brazil on
Sunday.
Goetze and Brommel have been dating for two years,
with the couple first making headlines during a trip to Ibiza together in 2012.
Brommel has previously appeared in a number of modeling campaigns and was even
featured in Heidi Klum's reality show, Germany's Next Top Model. She has a
contract with German agency Rockstar Models along with IMM Models as well.
Along with her blogging and modeling career, the
German beauty is also an aspiring pop singer who plays the piano and has
been attending vocal lessons for three years now. She released her first
single, “This Is Me”, in 2010 and her second song, “Body Language”, in 2011. The
new star had been supporting her boyfriend all throughout the World Cup
tournament by traveling by his side while in Brazil and has even made Elle
Magazine's hottest international soccer wives and girlfriends list.
My Super Mario! Read more: Daily Mail
To commemorate Germany's win, Beats commissioned
fashion photographer Rankin to create a celebratory salute to the victory
starring the Gold Beats Pro headphones and Naomi Campbell, titled 'Golden'. The
new work see's Naomi as the World Cup trophy adorned in gold high fashion and
sporting the Gold Beats Pros. This >> behind
the look includes an interview and a special message from
Naomi for the winners.
On 16th July TuneCore announced it paid out $33.2 million in
digital music royalties in the second quarter, up 18.4% from the same period in
2013 but down from $34.1 million in the first quarter. Earnings from its music
publishing division were up 300% year over year but were not specified in the
news release. Its current numbers give TuneCore digital royalties a run rate of
roughly $125 million. To put that number in perspective, RIAA members –
TuneCore is one of them -- will generate digital sales of roughly $4.3 billion
in 2014, according to Billboard estimates. TuneCore is a digital distributor
and music publishing administer for independent artists. It distributes
recordings to a litany of digital music services, such as iTunes, Amazon,
Spotify and Rhapsody.
Its music publishing administration division collects
publishing royalties from digital services and also handles requests for
synchronization licenses.....Billboard.com
SINGLE / ALBUM
NEWS
“ONE Christmas - chapter 2” will be released in 2015 with “ONE Christmas – chapter 3” in 2016.
The six song EP is produced by Rimes and Darrell Brown
and includes songs:
Silent Night, Holy Night, I Want A Hippopotamus for
Christmas, Blue Christmas, Someday at Christmas, Hard Candy Christmas and White
Christmas. >> Watch the promo
video
PRESS RELEASES
- Sounds Like Nashville: Get your Nashville fix! New music,
videos and tours! Newsletter
- Chuck Wicks and Tracy Lawrence will join
Craig Morgan onstage as he hosts his 8th annual charity event, benefitting
the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.
- Garth Brooks will release his first album of all-new material in more
than a decade under a new agreement with Sony Music, it was announced Thurs July 10th by Brooks
and Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris at a press conference in
Nashville.
- Aaron Lewis is joining
Brantley Gilbert on the second
leg of the LET IT RIDE TOUR
- Blake Shelton announced
as First Headliner for 2015 Kicker Country Stampede Festival Set for June
25–28, 2015
- Irene Kelly - Summer’s here in full swing - Newsletter
- Dolly Parton's Blue Smoke / The Best Of Album Jumps to #3
in it's Fifth Week On Official UK Chart; Glastonbury's "Doggy
Parton" reunited with Original Owners.
- Bluegrass
Group Nu-Blu joined by Rock & Roll Hall of
Famer Sam Moore for his first Bluegrass recording on "Jesus &
Jones"
- Kenny Chesney revealed his BIG REVIVAL album cover
artwork which arrives in stores and online September 23.
- Shot by
emergent photographer Allister Ann, the image was revealed this morning by
The Hollywood Reporter (THR.com) and Billboard.com, the cover suggests
that within what we know, there are places we still haven’t imagined. All
we have to do is look a little closer, then get ready – as the title
suggests – for the Big Revival within us.
- Hunter Hayes revealed the release date for his
"Tattoo" music video
- American Songwriter: Behind the lyric "Ruby,Don't Take
Your Love To Town" (by Kenny Rogers)
- Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out will headline the Musicians Against
Childhood Cancer festival (MACC) on Friday, July 18th with a special
concert that includes performances with Alternative Strings, an orchestra
comprised of students grades 8-12 from the Centerville, Ohio school
system.
- Kenny Chesney takes over the Flora-Bama; No Shoes Nation
will unite for Flora-Bama-Jama August 16 show
- Maggie Rose wants to be the “Girl In Your Truck Song”
- Florida Georgia Line ploughs to the top with “Dirt”
(182,929 tracks sold in the first week)
ARTICLES
American Songwriter Makin’ Stuff Up: The Gold
Rush….Pre-Garth, country
records seldom exceeded Gold status. Thanks to the manic man from Oklahoma, Platinum
– often, many times over – was becoming a reasonable expectation for Randy
Travis, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Brooks and Dunn, Joe
Diffie, Patty Loveless, etc. Then a cat named McGraw showed up. Whoa, Nelly!
Most of these acts were crankin’ out an album every year. And, as they all
needed material, pretty much any dude or dudette with a six-string, a Mel Bay
chord book, and/or a rhyming dictionary was a candidate for a staff writing
deal…..
REVIEWS
- Florida Georgia Line ‘Dirt’ – For The Country Record Single Review
- For The Country Record Featured: Lucy Scholl EP Listen to " Running On Empty" at soundcloud.com
- 4000milestonashville Album Review: Ward Thomas – From Where We Stand
- Calgary Herald Review: Keith
Urban makes fiery return to Saddledome (by Eric Volmers)
INTERVIEWS
Lee Williams of CMR NASHVILLE ("Europe's #1 Country
Music Radio Station") grabbed a quck interview interview with Country Rock Kalispell, Montana
native and Nashville based Kayla Adams
during the CMA 2014 Festival in Nashville.
She talks about her new
single “Sober & Sorry” (SSM Entertainment) which was made available to
radio via promo disc CDX 597 (Track 5) and digitally via Play MPE. The track (>>
lyric video) which features the razor sharp electric guitar
of JT Corenflos is described as a Rock-tinged, straight-shootin’ Country girl’s
answer to good love gone bad. It was written by Adams, Billy Atherholt
(Montgomery Gentry, Chris Daughtry) and Pete Nanney (Chris Daughtry) telling a
tale of a woman wronged and vengeance sought. Kayla performed the song for an
enthralled crowd at Renegade Radio Nashville All-Star 3rd Anniversary Party
during CMA Music Fest Week.
The newcomer, a stunning blond,
blue-eyed 24-year-old beauty, is an avid outdoorswoman whose thought-provoking
songwriting is as melodic as it is memorable, Kayla draws inspiration for her
songs from the wide open spaces of her Montana farm raising. She has already appeared
on stage as a band member and solo performer – in her home state and throughout
the U.S. To date, Kayla has shared the
stage with acts as diverse as Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins, LL Cool J, Heidi
Newfield, and Smashmouth.
A self-proclaimed computer geek, she has attended both Belmont University (Nashville) and the famed Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (Hollywood).
A self-proclaimed computer geek, she has attended both Belmont University (Nashville) and the famed Musicians Institute College of Contemporary Music (Hollywood).
"This girl is not
sitting around hoping the phone will ring. She's all about making things
happen, even if it means driving hundreds of miles on her own and living out of
a camper... She's got talent, tenacity, and the courage to get out in the world
and take chances. She's got the heart of a gypsy, and the voice of a
star." Andrea Blair - Montana Woman
Magazine
(July 15) Even though Lucy Hale is perhaps best known for her
acting, she says that music is her No. 1 love. And because she wants to be an
artist who is taken seriously, she’s working hard. In a recent chat at a
Nashville studio, Hale opened up about that that along with her Opry debut, her
feelings for Martina McBride and more....Read More: Lucy Hale Talks New Single,
the Opry, Martina McBride + More Taste Of Country
MAGAZINES
Maverick Magazine (July/ August 2014 issue; Miranda
Lambert feature) use the "+" and "-" selections to zoom in
and out and view the individual pages at Magzter.com Read the 2 page Holly Williams
feature, Steven Seagal (Blues Man feaute), Nickel Creek (sample page) at yudu.com
Naked Mag - Issue #37 July 2014: Features:
a) Ask The Artist Lucy
Scholl: It's really interesting yet exciting to be an artist in todays
music industry. The focus switch to singles instead of full albums has been a
monumental change for existing artists and new artists coming into the
industry. I think that releasing a series of singles instead of a full album
makes music more accesable to the listener and allows people to connect with
the musican more often. When artists release albums, it occurs every couple of
years.
By releasing singles, the artist can release new music
often and the listener can fall in love with their music one song at a
time"
b) Liz Mace
[Megan & Liz] It's a weird phenomenon that singles now determine it all.
But it's also a challenge. To be an artist and have a single wrap you up in 3:30
minutes, you better be damn sure of who you are and what you want to say. So I
say, gotta like the single? Challenge accepted. But if you want tp know my
soul, what breaks me and what makes me get up in the morning? Buy the
album.
Aubrey Peeples (Layla Grant on the hit ABC drama
Nashville) She says that her love of the country genre lies in singers like
Johnny Cash and John Denver. Not much for pop jams, Aubrey is a sucker for the
sad stuff. "My favourite is the blues," she says. Aubrey has already
submitted some songs of her own creation for consideration as Layla-originals,
and in this upcoming season she wants to be able to do more of that, as well as
work - outside of Nashville - on her own music career"
Rascal Flatts The Rewind Tour (photos)
Tim McGraw The Sundown Heaven Tour (photos)
Larkin Poe New Release KIN (Proper Records) + James
House
LISTEN
Kacey Musgraves’ fans were a big part in picking “Keep It To
Yourself” as her latest single.
“I did a little Twitter poll to see kind of what the
fans were feeling as far as what they would love to hear next,” says Kacey.
“There were some that were really high-charting in the poll, [and] ‘Keep It To
Yourself’ was one of ‘em. It’s one of ‘em that I get a ton of people just
saying like, ‘That is so me right now, and I just really have been through
that.’”
The Texas native just returned from her recent
overseas tour, which took her to London, Dublin and Amsterdam, among other
places. Her first stop back in the States is in Aspen, Colorado July 31st.
Hit or Miss?
They have premiered their first song of the album, "Wanderlust" (released on UK iTunes July 14 ) which is described as "has soaring vocals, a great melodic guitar solo, sweet guitar tracks and creates the perfect feel good vibe". Check out the new track on soundcloud Connect with them on Facebook
SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this
online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and
recommendations.
When its free and
easy on Spotify who needs music piracy?
Denver – Rowdy Love - Alt/ Americana Released
15 July 2014
Kacey Musgraves – The Trailer Song – New single
released June 27, 2014
Lucy Scholl – Feel Alright - From Lucy
Scholl new EP see Review
Lexi James – Knockin' on Your Heart - New radio
single July 28
Eileen Carey – Bottle Your Crazy Up - New radio
single July 7
Kirsty Lee Akers – That's How You Get Famous - New radio
single July 3
WATCH
- Backstage
at the Opry, Jennifer Nettles
(w/ Brandy Clark) reveals the inspiration for her song >> "His Hands”.
- Florida-Georgia Line have tapped into their emotional side
for their latest single, >> 'Dirt'.
The video examines people's relationship with dirt and soil throughout
their lives in a video that discovers a new level of depth for a band
better known for
- their
good time party vibes.The song is also the first single from their
forthcoming, follow-up record to their smash hit debut Here's To The Good
Times. It had 2.07 million YouTube hits in less than 3 days
- “Stay With Me” Sam Smith (Ashton Lane Kitchen Session) For
7 free songs visit www.ashtonlanemusic.com
- Suzy Bogguss "Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room"
- The McClymonts perform a cover of Tanya Tucker / Helen Reddy’s >> “Delta Dawn”
- "Good Wine & Bad Decisions" by
Julie Roberts
- Scotty McCreery performed on Fox & Friends for
their All American Summer Concert Series and right after his appearance,
released the video for his hit, >> "Feelin' It."
- Colbie Caillat "Try"
COUNTRY FASHION
Taylor Swift was snapped out and about in New York City on July 9, 2014 hitting
the NYC pavements like it’s her own personal runway:
She wore a Reformation ‘Elmwood Dress in Laura Print’ ($198.00
thereformation.com) - Fashion Pic - Fashion Pic
She was wearing Prada ‘Peep Toe Slingback Sandal’ and carried a Tod’s
'Sella' tote - farfetch.com
 |
| Taylor Swift out and about in New York City |
On July 10th she was seen out in New York wearing a TWO by Vince Camuto Lace Back Shirt, a pair of Miss Selfridge Ticking Denim Stripe Shorts (£25.00), a pair of Frye Maya Woven Peep Pumps (sold out) and her Tod’s Sella Tote($1,299.22, Cream) -
She kicked off the day with some quality family time stepping
out with her parents Scott and Andrea in New York City on Friday July 11th,
highlighting her slim figure in a tiny Reformation ‘Quince Jumpsuit’ ($218.00). The 24-year-old
pop star later changed into a pair of little blue shorts, displaying her long
slender legs, for a solo jaunt. The 22 hitmaker sported a black blazer for part
of the family outing before she stripped down to her crop top in the summer
heat.
Displaying her long legs in capri trousers, Taylor
stood tall selecting a pair of ‘caged’ Christian Louboutin ‘Karina Caged Ankle
Booties’Louboutin booties (Image) which
are from the Fall 2013 collection featuring black suede woven straps with a
leather trim and 4.5 heel. You can shop the new fall collection at neimanmarcus.com
She carried a leather Dolce & Gabbana ‘Large Agagta
Shoulder Bag’ - farfetch.com . The gorgeous blonde wore her
hair in flowing waves over her shoulders as she painted her lips bright red - Fashion Pic
Leggy lady: She later left her apartment on July 11th
wearing a white T-shirt tucked into navy blue ModCloth ‘Positive Spinnaker
Shorts’ shorts, with high-heeled brown Oxford shoes - Fashion Pic
Read more: Daily Mail
Jessica Simpson first wedding picture:
The blonde bombshell dazzled throughout the day in a glitzy Carolina Herrera
gown (People Exclusive Image), showing off her
slim waist and ample cleavage. Jessica, 33, looked
absolutely amazing on her wedding day. After two children she transformed her
figure when she tied the knot with Eric
Johnson, at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito on July 5.
The >> behind-the-scenes
video of Jessica’s fitting on June 11 in Herrera’s New York
City studio offered up amazing insight on the gorgeous gown that drew
inspiration from the famed portrait of Empress Elisabeth “Sissi” of Austria
painted by Franz Zaver Winterhalter in 1865.
“It reminds me of the way I want you to look,” Herrera
told Simpson during her dress fitting at the designer’s New York City atelier June
11. “You told me before you wanted to be very regal. I thought this is
fantastic for the whole idea.”
The 33-year-old singer, who is known for her saying
the wrong thing, managed to fluster her own wedding vows according to E!
As the singer exchanged her "I do's' with groom
Eric Johnson she got so overwhelmed that she managed to say the wrong name.
The bride's Carolina Herrera gown also dinted the
budget with a price tag of upwards of $30,000.
It wasn't all style and no substance however at the
twosome managed to put their own intimate touch on the affair.
The couple's one-year-old son Ace served as the ring
bearer while their two-year-old daughter Maxwell was appointed as flower girl. She
was accompanied down the aisle by Bronx Wentz, Ashley Simpson's five-year-old
boy.
Reports from E! have the four-day wedding at the San
Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California setting the couple back $1.4 million.
Amongst the costs was $300,000 for the grub and $150,000 for the floral
arrangements. Read more: Daily Mail
COUNTRY GOSSIP
NRA Country artist Tyler Farr recently went squirrel hunting and says, “if the world
comes to an end, I don't want to rely on anyone but me to eat.”
TWEETS
Maddie & Tae tweeted @MaddieandTae Totally overwhelmed
by all the love & support from u guys. THX so much. We can't stop
smiling!!! #GirlInACountrySong
PHOTO
Jamie Lynn Spears, Emily
West, Jeannie Seely, and
more. (Grand Ole Opry - July 12, 2014) - Facebook
Fin To Win: Brett
Eldredge makes good on another challenge in the Bahamas yesterday (7/16)
after promising to swim with sharks if his "Beat Of The Music" went
No. 1. Eldredge cheered his first chart-topper "Don't Ya" with
skydiving - Image
BIRTHDAYS
July 14: Del Reeves (1933; died January 1, 2007
(aged 74)), Woody Guthrie (1912; ), Leslie Satcher (1962)
July 15: Linda
Ronstadt (1946), Lloyd
Cowboy Copas (1913; died March 5, 1963 (aged 49)), Mac McAnally
(1959)
July 16: Nanci
Griffith (1954), Craig Morgan
(1965)
July 17: The late Nicolette
Larson (1952), Red Sovine (1918;
died April 4, 1980 (aged 61)), Susan
Ashton (1967)
July 18: Ricky Skaggs
(1954) Elizabeth Cook
July 19: George
Hamilton IV (1937), Bernie Leadon
(Eagles) (1947)
July 20: Cindy Walker (1918), Radney Foster (1959), Kim Carnes (1946), T G Sheppard (1942), Julianne Hough (1988), Hannah Blaylock
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