Country Bites News snippets
July 21 – July 27, 2014
SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED
UK & IRISH
News
Promoter Bob Patterson
brings Americana/ Roots/ Pop artist Amanda Rheaume to the UK for dates
in August and September who is described as a "powerful vocalist with just
a touch of grit and an instantly-accessible
sound" >> Promo
Video
See a complete list on the updated
UK Tour Page
The ABC of British
Country Music Live listings for Artists, Bands & Clubs - What's On
Scottish Country gigs - scotcountryconcerts.blogspot
The Phil Mack International Country Weekend has just a few places remaining in the UK at Sand Bay, Weston Super Mare Somerset
event from Fri October 3rd – Mon 6th. See the Graphic/ Flyer for line up and booking
details
"The Voices Of Country"
Sam
Hollyman will play Kenny's Fish Restaurant, Conisbrough, Doncaster on Sunday
17th August as part of UKCountryRadio.com’s “Live Music Nights”.
Tickets are £11 in advance, £13 on the night including Kenny's fish & chips,
Tickets are £11 in advance, £13 on the night including Kenny's fish & chips,
Click here for more details and tickets.
Being hailed as “The UK's
newest country star” the up and coming British singer/songwriter landed
at #18 on the Hotdisc Top 40 chart (#2 Hotdisc British & Irish Chart) with
“Where I Wanna Be” (From CD The Red Reel Sessions). It peaked at #11 and
reigned #1 on the British & Irish chart for 3 weeks in January.
At 15-years old he
sang with Michael Buble at his concert
in Birmingham in 2010 and when aged 17, was asked to audition for Simon
Cowell’s Britain’s Got Talent after four million watched the duet on YouTube. The
17-year old “Stafford singing sensation” fell at the first hurdle on the BBC The Voice UK
TV talent show when judges Jessie J, Will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and Danny
O’Donoghue didn’t warm to his rendition of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’
For the lovely Talia Smith music was the big emphasis
at the three-day Chilli Farm Festival, with variety ranging from rock to reggae.
The event at Coldred, near Dover, started on Friday, July 25, and continued
until Sunday, July 27, with camping available on-site. Talia spiced things up
as the “star turn” remembered as this year’s The Voice UK contestant who drew
tabloid attention after revealing that she was a traveller. Talia formerly of
the Hotdisc chart topping and BCMAwards duo Travellin Rose was chosen by Tom
Jones but was later eliminated in a sing-off against eventual finalist folk
singer Sally Barker.
Mike Ward has drawn praise
from David Allan the Country Music People columinist and former BBC Radio 2
presenter of the Country Club show in the 90’s. Watch 'Don't
Close Your Eyes' in his Voice blind audition.
Mike’s next gig is on Sat
2nd August at The Royal Oak, High Street, Barlborough, Chesterfield S43 4EU
(£35, incl 3 course meal) Follow him on Facebook
In the week of their album
release Ward Thomas had an article
feature in The
Times newpaper titled "Everyone’s talking about . . . Ward
Thomas" published on July 26th by Will
Hogkinson - Image
Watch them perform their
current National radio single >> “Push
For The Stride" live at The Green Note in London on 25
July 2014.
Their debut album FROM WHERE WE
STAND (WTW Music Limited) released on Sunday July 20th went straight
to No1 on the UK iTunes Country Chart and has charted at No.41 on the Official
UK Album Chart and No.1 on the UK Country chart.
Order the album using the banner above or order it at: wardthomas.com for a signed copy! - Packaging Image
Order the album using the banner above or order it at: wardthomas.com for a signed copy! - Packaging Image
Monday 21 July 2014 Simon Mayo - BBC
Radio 2 Playlist Legendary guitarist Richard Thompson his ears pricked up "this is good, they've
got that family harmony" if you can impress Richard Thompson that's very
good. We've booked them for one of our
Edinburgh shows..."no wonder they sound great, I tell you they're lovely
girls" - Sally Boazman
"Should we go a bit
country, Ward Thomas and Push for the Stride "Tuesday 22 July 2014 Chris Evans - BBC
Radio 2 Playlist
"Ward Thomas and Push
for the Stride, nice lively tune this Thursday morning (24 July 2014) Chris Evans - BBC
Radio 2 Playlist
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top
100 Album Chart (Week
Ending August 2, 2014)
Dolly Parton with BLUE
SMOKE/THE BEST OF suffered an 11.70% dip in sales but it gave the veteran
country singer another new peak, climbing 3-2
(13,602 sales; previous week 15,408 copies; 7-week total 124,339).
The album debuted at No.6,
moved up to No.4 where it remained a few weeks, then jumped to No3. No slowing down for Dolly!
“Wow, Number 2!,” says
Dolly Parton. “I am so excited. They say when you are Number 2, you try
harder. Thanks to all the fans out there, as this would not be possible without
all of your love and support. Thanks
again!”
With the recent success of
her first two single’s “Home,” and “Try,” as well as the album’s worldwide
success and her amazing and now legendary Glastonbury appearance, Dolly Records
and Sony Music Masterworks are releasing “Lay Your Hands On Me,” a song penned
by Richie Sambora and Jon BonJovi. (see Press
Relese)
Ward Thomas the lovely 20 year old twins Catherine and Lizzy waved
the flag for British country music and are now firm favourites on BBC Radio Two.
Their first full length album, FROM
WHERE WE STAND, made a debut
at No.41 selling 2,473 copies having held a mid-week position at No.20.
Their first single "The Good and the Right" was on the Radio 2 “B” list for 4 weeks (weeks commencing March 29, 2014 - April 19, 2014) with follow up single "Push for the Stride" currently in its 4th playlist (week commencing July 5, 2014) when it got upgraded to the "A" list from July 12th.
"Ward Thomas and Push
for the Stride, nice lively tune this Thursday morning” said Chris Evans on his
Thursday 24 July 2014 Radio 2
morning show
The Ward Thomas debut has
beaten out previous 2014 releases from Mary
Chapin Carpenter SONGS FROM THE MOVIE No.95 debut (chart week Feb 1, 2014), Eric Church’s THE
OUTSIDERS debut at No.70 (1,272 sales;
chart week March 8, 2014), Emmylou
Harris with her WRECKING BALL debut at No.100 (sales less than 980; chart week April 26,
2014), the Eurovision runner ups The
Common Linnets whose eponymous album made a
bow at No.40 (2,004 sales; chart week May 24,
2014) Willie Nelson’s BAND OF BROTHERS landed at No.52
(1,589 sales; chart week July 5, 2014) and most notably the reigning 4 times
CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda
Lambert. Her lead off single "Automatic"
was also “B” playlisted by Radio 2 for 4-weeks. Her album PLATINUM which received a massive roll out in America
and was made Album of the Week on several UK country stations made a UK debut
at No.52 (1,725 sales; chart week June 14,
2014) then fell right off fell the chart.
Ward Thomas sold 748 more copies
than Lambert at retail but should it have sold more!
2014 releases to surpass
the Ward Thomas debut were:
Rosanne
Cash THE RIVER & THE THREAD (No.25; 4,267
sales)
Blackberry
Smoke THE WHIPPOORWILL (No.30; 2,973 sales)
Johnny
Cash OUT AMONG THE STARS (No.4; 19,347 sales)
First
Aid Kit's STAY GOLD (No.11; 11,281 sales)
Dolly
Parton BLUE SMOKE / THE BEST OF (No.6; 20,860
sales)
Going back to 2013 they were 161 copies shy of Grammy Award winning Kacey Musgraves’ SAME TRAILER, DIFFERENT PARK No.39
debut (2,634 sales), they almost exactly matched the C2C Country To
Country headliner Tim McGraw with TWO LANES OF FREEDOM debut No.43
(2,500+ copies). They bettered C2C 2014 headliner Brad Paisley WHEELHOUSE No.69 (1,582 sales), Willie Nelson TO ALL THE GIRLS No.72 (1,452 sales) and C2C Festival stars Rascal Flatts No.87, Darius Rucker "TRUE BELIEVERS" No.89, The Band Perry PIONEER No.94 and Zac Brown Band UNCAGED No.92 (sales possibly 1,000 copies) all of which
had extensive playlist runs by BBC Radio 2 and many getting BBC 1 Breakfast
features.
As impressive as those statistics
are could the hot Petersfield, Hamps duo have sold more?
- In the run up to their EP and Album release
they have had 2 singles, spending seven weeks round the clock, on the BBC Radio 2 playlist whose weekly
listeners figures are 15,568,000 according to RAJAR in March 2014.
- Their single got their first exclusive plays on
Sir Terry Wogan’s Weekend Wogan
Radio 2 including a live session appearance.
- In March 2014 they appeared on the C2C Country To Country Festival
Pop Up Stages
- They have received airplay on all three of the
main UK Internet country
stations, along with local BBC and
community radio.
- On the morning of Thursday 26th June 2014 they
appeared on BBC Breakfast who
have an average of 1.5 million viewers tuning in. Watch the Interview - Twitter
- Lizzy & Catherine along with a
3-piece band performed on ITV's Weekend morning show (audience slated to be 0.16 million) presented
by Aled Jones broadcast Saturday July 19, 2014 (ITV player Episode 25). They performed
“Push For The Stride” and a cover of George Ezra's “Budapest” ( >> Video) whose single climbed to No.4
with sales of 44,777 copies (11,300 streaming points).
- A feature titled "Ones To Watch" appeared
in The Independent newspaper on
June 28th - Image
- The Times published an
article titled "Everyone’s talking about . . . Ward Thomas" on July
26th
- They have been touring the UK in July appearing at The Maverick and Americana
Fesivals
- They have had a 2 page feature and EP review in
leading country magazine Maverick (subscribers
2,000?)
- Their two official
videos >> “The Good And The Right” published on Apr 8, 2014
has received 18,984 views and >> “Push For The Stride” published on July 9, 2014 has
to date received 15,644 views. They have 3,725 Facebook “Likes” and 1,991
Twitter “Followers”
Official UK
Country Album Chart (Week
Ending August 2, 2014)
The UK’s Ward Thomas with FROM WHERE WE STAND (WTW Music) debuts
at No.1
Johnny Cash with OUT
AMONG THE STARS (Columbia) fell 1-2 in its 17th chart frame.
Kacey Musgraves with SAME
TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK (Decca) slipped 2-3 in her 67th chart frame.
Lady Antebellum’s monster album NEED YOU NOW moved 3-4 in its 139th
week.
Miranda Lambert with PLATINUM
(RCA) , the current No2 Billboard country album, fell 5-6 in her eighth week.
Scottish singer
songwriter Colin Clyne with THE NEVER ENDING PAGEANT made a debut at No.15.
UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Albums
(Last updated July 28, 2014)
They’ve been trading places No1 and No2 all week but Dolly Parton’s album BLUE SMOKE/
THE BEST OF pairing is at the tip of the summit with UK country duo Ward Thomas new debut album FROM
WHERE WE STAND at No2.
The new Sony compilation American Heartland: Legends of Country moved 3-5.
The ABC TV series Nashville soundtracks are still popular The Music of Nashville:
Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol. 2 moved 5-4, with the Original Soundtrack
Season 1, Vol.2 at #10.
Scottish singer songwriter Colin Clyne's brand new 11 track studio album THE NEVER ENDING PAGEANT goes into
freefall retreating 8-247 less then a week later.
The current Billboard Country No1 album Based On a True
Story... (Deluxe Version) from Blake
Shelton is at No.41 whilst wife
Miranda Lambert
with PLATINUM the No2 country album
in America stemmed the tide with a 45-39 jump.
1 Dolly Parton - Blue Smoke/
The Best Of
2 Ward Thomas - From Where We Stand
3 Dolly Parton - The Very
Best of Dolly Parton
4 Various Artists - The
Music of Nashville: Original Soundtrack Season 2, Vol. 2 (Deluxe)
5 Various Artists - American
Heartland: Legends of Country
6 Kacey Musgraves - Same
Trailer Different Park
7 Taylor Swift - Red
8 Johnny Cash - The Man
Comes Around
9 John Denver - The
Ultimate Collection
10 Various Artists - The
Music of Nashville - Season 1, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)
UK iTunes Top 1500 Country Singles (Last updated July 28, 2014)
Ward Thomas with their BBC Radio 2 “A” playlisted single “Push For the Stride” remained
atop the chart on their Official UK No1 album FROM WHERE WE STAND (iTunes) .
Dolly Parton posts 5 songs in the Top 10 headed by “Try” the
BBC Radio 2 “A” playlisted single.
US Singer-songwriter Laura Cantrell
enters the Top 20 at No.16 with “Two Seconds” a track from her Oct 10, 2000
release “Not The Tremblin’
Kind.
UK duo The Shires with “Tonight” (Decca
released on July 11, 2014 on UK iTunes.) recovered 33-29.
1 Ward Thomas - Push For the Stride
2 Dolly Parton - Try
3 Dolly Parton - Jolene
4 Dolly Parton & Kenny
Rogers - Islands In the Stream
5 Dolly Parton - 9 To 5
6 Taylor Swift - I Knew You
Were Trouble.
7 Lady Antebellum - Need
You Now
8 Taylor Swift - Love Story
9 Taylor Swift - 22
10 Dolly Parton - Here You
Come Again
On the Hotdisc Chart (July 27, 2014 Chart)
US bluegrass The Roys (Elaine &
Lee Roy)
with "No More Lonely"
held the No.1 for a third week.
Jim Reeves’ "Distant
Drums " (2014 version) slipped 2-3 as
Bertie
Higgins switched places with self penned “Cowboys Of The Caribbean” which made a 3-2 hop.
Jessie Lee Cates from the previous month’s release found
traction and rebounded 6-4
US act Cory Cox held at No.5 with “Wake Up Drunk” .
The lovely Garland, Texas
native and Nashville based artist SaraBeth saw her single "That's The Sound" move northwards 15-10.
Otside the Top 10:
Notable US singer-songwriter James House (on tour in the UK) retreated
10-13 with new single “Train Wreck”.
US act David Starr with his self composed “Everything Is Made In China” improved
18-15
Australia’s David Hilgenfeldt self
penned single “Silver Mine” made a three
place move 21-18.
The No.1 on the British
& Irish Hotdisc chart remained with Tony Clarke as his self penned “Put That Country Song On” rose 16-14 on
the top 40 five places ahead of former #1 Mim Grey’s “The
Ways Of Love” which fell 17-19.
>> Take a listen to the week’s Top
20 countdown:
UK COUNTRY
ALBUM RELEASES
(10 June 2014) Amy
McCarley - Jet Engines
10 Tracks/ Time: 34:44
Country/ Folk MP3 – UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(1 July 2014) Jim Photoglo - Halls Of My Heart (Grifftone)
10 Tracks/ Time: 31:26 MP3 – UK iTunes - CD Baby - Amazon.com
AUSSIE NEWS
Country Tracks Top 30 Australia's leading chart week
of 26th July 2014
#1 “She
Don't Know She's Beautiful” - Adam Harvey (Album: Family
Life)
#2 “Here's
To You & I” - The McClymonts (Album: - Here's To You
& I)
#3 “Bad
Boys Get Me Good” - Jasmine Rae & Kellie Pickler (Album:
If I Want To)
#4 “Skinny Flat White” - Harmony James (Album: - Cautionary Tales)
#4 “Skinny Flat White” - Harmony James (Album: - Cautionary Tales)
CANADIAN NEWS
The lovely Elyse
Saunders is readying a second album with vocal recording sessions taking
place at the beautiful Orange Lounge Studio. Here are some behind the scenes
from the photo shoot
NEWS
Country Aircheck's
Insider Artist News:
July 25, 2014: Jason Aldean (ballparks or bust), Keith Urban (Raise
Em' Up), Alan Jackson (first tricycle)
July 29, 2014: Garth Brooks (G Forces), Brad Paisley (Family Feud);
Tim McGraw (The Sun Also Rises), Toby Keith (Forbes), Big & Rich (new
album)
It’s official: Brentwood developer Tim Reynolds’ Bravo
Development has purchased 30 Music Square West — the building housing RCA Studio A
— from the estates of Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins for a cool $4.075 million.
This according to a deed filed July 28th.
Brad Paisley has released a new version of his single,
"River
Bank," featuring country rapper Colt Ford.
According to Variety, the couple's California home is now on the market for $7.5 million. The house was built in the late '50s and was remodeled in 2007.
It boasts four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. (photo left)
Forbes magazine published their 2014 Country Cash Kings list:
#1 Toby Keith (second straight year) with an estimated
$65 million coming in from his tour dates, restaurants and other business
ventures. At #2 is Taylor Swift ($64 million), #3 Kenny Chesney ($44 million
payday), #4 Jason Aldean (earned $37 million) from about 88 shows and at #5 was
Luke Bryan ($34 million)
RPM Entertainment has eliminated its RPME radio promotion staff,
effective immediately. The company will focus efforts on its management and
publishing divisions.“It was a tough decision to make based on the progress we
made as a label over the last few years,” said RPM President Scott Siman. “But
the bottom line is the playing field was not conducive to us breaking through
as an independent label at mainstream country radio.” Executive VP April
Rider will manage Maggie Rose and Chasin’ Crazy. Jack Christopher will
continue as VP, Radio Relations for RPM managed clients. Maggie Rose who at #58
on the Country Airplay chart with "Girl In Your Truck Song" has now
disappeared off the chart. Chasin' Crazy's song “That's How We Do Summertime” will probably fall off the charts soon as a
result.
When Will Country Music Finally
Admit It Has A Drinking Problem?
Is it solely the one holding the bottle who has the
problem or does the genre have a responsibility? - Read the Blog Post
TOURS
As tickets went on sale Friday morning July 25th at 10
a.m. CT, Garth Brooks was set to
kick off his comeback tour with a single concert at Chicago's Allstate Arena. Less than
three hours later, one show had turned into 10. The country superstar now
has 10 concerts booked at the arena from September 4-14. That includes three
double-headers on September 6, 12 and 13, when he'll give two performances at 6
p.m. and 10:30 p.m - ticketmaster.com
David Nail launches his I'M A FIRE tour this fall with
special guests Native Run. The first show is set for September 11 in Oxford,
MS, with 22 dates announced so far.
AWARDS
The Academy of
Country Music Honors which
will be held at The Ryman on September 9. It will salute Kris Kristofferson and Dean
Dillon (recipients of the Poet’s Award), Cowboy Jack Clement and Buck Owens (posthumous recipients of the
Poet’s Award), Toby Keith and Ronnie Milsap (Career Achievement
Awards), Carrie Underwood (Gene Weed
Special Achievement Award) and several more. Futher details at acmcountry.com
TV
The hit ABC drama ‘Nashville‘ has begun filming Season 3 in Nashville, Tenn. The
show, which had once considered filming in another location, including Georgia
or Texas, began taping for the upcoming season last week. The Los Angeles-based
writing staff returned to Nashville to write for the third season, which
included meeting with Sara Evans and Mayor Karl Dean, as well
as trips to the Grand Ole Opry and the Bluebird Cafe,
among other locations. Filming for the show began on July 17. One of the first
shots was in the sound stage replica of the Bluebird Cafe, which is where many
of the scenes are held.
The show, which stars Connie Britton, Hayden
Panettiere, Charles ‘Chip’ Esten and Clare Bowen, ultimately remained in Middle
Tennessee thanks in part to increased tourism since the show began in 2012. “It’s
been an overwhelmingly good thing for the city,” Mayor Dean says. “We have a
strong tourism economy and a strong convention economy, but this just adds to
it in a way we would never be able to do on our own.” The third season will
premiere on Sept. 24 at 10PM ET on
ABC.
Where is Hayden (aka Juliette Barnes) in this promo pic?
BABY NEWS
In a May 2014 interview with the Totally Driven Radio
Show, Country singer and former WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James confirmed that she was
pregnant. James last wrestled for TNA Impact Wrestling in September 2013 when
the "Hardcore Country" singer lost to ODB in a match that cost her
the TNA Knockouts Championship.
At the time there had been no official word on the
father of the child, TNAInsider.com reported that "Mickie has been in a relationship
with former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Magnus".
This last week Mickie wrote on Facebook: “I just want to say thank you to
everyone who came out to my baby shower yesterday! I was overwhelmed by all
the love, laughter, and kindness of all my friends and family. Thank you all so
much for being a part of my special day!!! Also a big thank you to Target.com
and BabiesRUs.com for providing me with a wonderful registry experience!!! I
know many of you have asked and if you're still looking our little man is under
Baby
James~Aldis. Only 2 months away and we
couldn't be more excited”. ~ MJ
The Montpelier, Virginia native Mickie (aged 34; August
31, 1979) has confirmed she is expecting her first child in two months (due date:
September 22, 2014) with Nick Aldis
aka "Magnus" (image) the 26-year old English professional
wrestler hailing from Docking, Norfolk. Apparently they broke up in October
2013 according to a Tweet by Magnus: Only tweeting this to prevent rumours and
speculation: Mickie James and I are not an item anymore. No drama/bs, just
different directions — Nick Aldis (Magnus) (@MagnusOfficial) October 14, 2013
James filmed a music video for her single called
"Somebody's Gonna Pay" >> YouTube off her second album of the same name
which made a debut at
No.55 on the Billboard Country Albums chart selling around 1,000 copies. The video features former WWE Women's
Champion, Trish Stratus and the TNA Superstar Magnus.
To find the perfect gift for the baby from Mickie and
Nick's registry visit thebump.com or amazingregistry.com
SINGLE / ALBUM
NEWS
Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard told Rolling Stone Country their new album is full
of hit singles. "All of [the songs] have their own flavor,
their own taste, and all serve their purpose," Tyler told Rolling Stone
Country. "They fit their slot on the
record and it's fun to listen to all the songs and not
want to skip one. That's one of our goals when we're recording -- slam an album
full of singles and make people want to listen to every song."
Jazz and pop star Norah
Jones has a new country trio. After playing live together since 2008, Puss n Boots, Sasha Dobson, Norah Jones
and Catherine Popper have at last taken their collaboration into the studio. NO FOOLS, NO FUN
– their debut album – released by Blue Note Records on July 15th available on Amazon.com and August 4th on Amazon UK and UK iTunes . Digital formats exclusively on
Amazon.com include two bonus tracks: Puss n Boots' takes on "Cry Cry
Cry", Johnny Cash's 1955 breakthrough hit, and the pop standard "In A
Shanty In Old Shanty Town."
Watch >> "Don't
Know What It Means" (Lambkini Exclusive) tracked, mixed
and mastered by Joel Hamilton at Studio G Brooklyn.
The Secret Sisters and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
announced an exclusive PUT YOUR NEEDLE DOWN: DELUXE EDITION CD, will be available
Aug. 4 exclusively at all 630 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store locations and
online at crackerbarrel.com. The digital album will also be available for
purchase at select digital retailers. It contains two brand-new and exclusive
bonus tracks not found on the regular edition that was released in April.
Produced by T Bone Burnett, the album contains 14 songs and will sell for
$11.99. (via Press Release)
Tim McGraw has revealed the album cover and track
listing for his new project, Sundown Heaven Town. via social media (Facebook Post) Monday morning. The album features his latest hit, "Meanwhile
Back at Mama's" with wife Faith Hill, as well as a collaboration with Kid
Rock on the song "Lincoln Continentals and Cadillacs." The deluxe
edition of Sundown Heaven Town will feature a total of 18 tracks, which is an
indication of just how excited Tim is about the new music.
PRESS RELEASES
- New Album
pays tribute to Jean Ritchie, Mother of
Folk..Featured artists include Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Judy Collins,
Kathy Mattea, Suzy Boggus, Robin and Linda Williams, Dale Ann Bradley,
Archie Fisher, Tim O'Brien and many more
- Ralph Stanley the trailblazing musician has been elected a fellow of the American
Academy of Arts
- Chase Rice prepares for album launch with debut performance
on Late Night with Seth Meyers August 6
- Mike Barnett the fiddler/vocalist from The Deadly
Gentleman prepares to release solo album
- Nathan Stanley, the grandson to Dr. Ralph Stanley,
is considered to be the "Prince Of Bluegrass" and releases his latest music endeavor EVERY MILE.
- "Voices Entwine and Musical Magic
Ensues" - The Shires “Tonight”
- Dolly Parton’s pair just got bigger Blue Smoke/The
Best Of. moves up the Official UK Chart,
landing at #2
- (Rounder
Records) Coming September 16th - 2 new Jerry Douglas records Three Bells and The Earls of
Leicester
- Big & Rich breaking new ground with
"historic" new album release, set to launch
on September 23, 2014
- Joe Ely new album - The Definitive Collection (41
tracks) available soon.
- Joel Crouse offers up exclusive "Even The River Runs" bundles
- American
Songwriter: Behind the lyric "Jolene" by
Dolly Parton
- Kim Richey's Thorn In My Heart: The Work Tapes is now available via Yep Roc Records. This
new vinyl
box set is limited to just 300 copies.
- Vince
Gill, Deana Carter, Collin Raye, Exile, Ray Stevens & Others to appear on Larry's Country Diner
ARTICLES
- American Songwriter Nashville’s Music Scene: In Photos
- American Songwriter A Nashville Songwriter’s Survival Guide (4
Pages)
- Billboard Country act LiveWire revs up with video for new
single 'Drivin' You Outta My Mind' (Exclusive)
- The Tennessean : Jim Reeves' popularity lasts longer than his
life...."It was the year of the Beatles, it was the year of the
Stones," wrote Paul Simon in "The Late, Great Johnny Ace."
But for Nashville's music community, the summer of 1964 was a time of
sadness and loss….
- Billboard 615: Singer-Songwriter Dale Watson: Trucking Music Isn't Dead…If you're thinking of
calling Dale Watson a country singer, think again. On the cover of the
singer-songwriter's recently released 3-CD box set entitled The Truckin’
Sessions Trilogy is a sticker that says “File Under Ameripolitan.” So,
what exactly does that mean? “I don’t even call it country music that I do
anymore. Most people think of traditional country music as Brad Paisley
and Alan Jackson, which is fine -- there’s nothing wrong with it. I’ve
been a champion of this genre called 'Ameripolitan’ -- which are people
that are roots-influenced, but not Americana, which is traditional music with
folk and rock influence," Watson tells Billboard.....
INTERVIEWS
Listen to Lee Williams
recorded Nashville interview with the lovely talent Madeline Smith first broadcast on 18th July on CMR Nashville
"Europe's #1 Country Music Radio Station".
The 17-year old Somerset,
New Jersey now Nashville bound singer-songwriter spoke about her plans and aims
for the future and discussed her current European single "Catchin'Fireflies"
(via the Hotdisc HD177 promotional disc) which
has its highest rank on its third Hotdisc
chart frame at No.21. The song now has a >> official video (Ladies, I’m informed the handsome actor is Jon
Whitney!)
She immediately caused a buzz and opened for Lauren Alaina
and Darius Rucker.
She performed
two of her originals and was a presenter (image) at the British Country Music
Awards on November 24, 2013.
ICYMI: In the November/ December 2013
issue of Maverick Magazine Alan Cackett the then long-time editor and Wesley
Rose Award Winner awarded her album 4 STARS, saying: “This girl is 16 years old
– what poise, pizzazz and personality. Everything it takes to be a singing
sensation….. An impressive debut from a young lady with a bright future”
>> Listen to Lee Williams recorded phone interview with Nashville based Brian Collins first broadcast on 25th July on CMR Nashville. The Country/Folk/Americana singer-songwriter and Atlanta, West Georgia native talked about his new European single "Never Really Left" (currently No.7 on Hotdisc Top 40), his new album HEALING HIGHWAY, moving to Nashville, his musical influences and writing songs.
The new album HEALING
HIGHWAY was a Kickstarter project which was
successfully funded back on August 24, 2013 (233 backers pledged $23,125 of a
$20,000 goal) . The thirteen tracks are described as being “of pure heart and soul
held together with blood, sweat and tears while driven by passion and
determination” There really are some truly outstanding tracks on the album:
“Next 500 Miles”, “Healing Highway”, “Steady As She Goes”, “That Someone” ,
“Last Of The Good Stuff”.
You can sample the whole album at www.briancollins.us until
it gets an official release later in 2014.
CONNECT with Brian Collins:
CONNECT with Brian Collins:
MAGAZINES
Maverick Magazine are incredibly excited to announce that
their next issue will include an exclusive copy of Zac Brown Band's Grohl Sessions
Vol 1 CD and The Making Of DVD!! A Zac Brown Band project produced by Dave
Grohl!! It goes on sale August 8th with cover artist feature Kacey Musgraves.
LISTEN
Has Brad
Paisley, not particularly known for causing trouble, been drinking some of
that moonshine in his trunk?
He posted a clip previewing his upcoming album
Moonshine In the Trunk, due Aug. 25, purportedly without his label's
permission? PEOPLE Country had the exclusive first
(err, second?) listen of "Crushin' It,"
SPOTIFY NEWS
Sam Smith's Spotify Gamble:
Did It Pay Off?
Billboard.com Sam Smith lost a battle but not the war. In an effort
to debut at No.1 on the Billboard 200, the buzzing Brit's first full-length
album, "In the Lonely Hour," was kept off Spotify in the
United States, sources tell Billboard. The tactic didn't work. The 182,000
first-week sales of Lana Del Rey's sophomore effort, "Ultraviolence,"
on Interscope surpassed his 166,000-unit June 16 release on Capitol. (Both are
Universal Music Group labels.) Could the 16,000-unit chasm have been bridged by
the streaming service, which, in theory, would have allowed fans to sample
Smith's music before buying (?) or spread the word to other
potential buyers? Perhaps. But a different street date
would have easily done the trick. "In the Lonely Hour" could have
reached the top spot in 17 of the first 28 weeks of 2014
CBS News (by Erik Sherman; MoneyWatch) Musicians
say music-streaming leaves them broke …Technology has changed few
industries as thoroughly as the music business. But the ballooning increase of
convenience for consumers has rapidly become a bust for musicians trying to
make a living. Another musician, Damon Krukowski, estimated that it would take
"songwriting royalties for roughly 312,000 plays on Pandora to earn us the
profit of one -- one -- LP sale." He went on to explain that the royalties
he would see from one CD sale is the equivalent to 47,680 plays on Spotify.
Life isn't any better working with the big labels, according to composer and musician
David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame. He wrote that the royalty rates are "miniscule"
and that the labels "usually siphon off most of this income, and then they
dribble about 15-20% of what's left down to their artists."
Streaming music can be a great deal for the avid
listener. The question is whether we'll continue having an emerging supply of
new musicians if streaming takes over…..It is not all bad. The music industry
is now moving back to the situation we had until the late 60's where revenue
generated from record sales was limited and artist had to make a living by
touring. I.e stream your music at home and go see that same artist hitting your
town.
WATCH
Fiona Culley performs "Thinking
Out Loud" (Ed Sheeran Cover, written by: Ed Sheeran
& Amy Wadge; which entered the UK Singles Chart at #26 serving as a
promotional single from his second studio album, x) The video is produced by:
Wiley Chandler, Recording & Mixing Engineer: Ryan Wilson (Nashville, TN,
USA from The Love Willows)
Musicians include: Acoustic Guitar (Wiley Chandler), Electric
Guitar (Dan Reising; Cleveland, Ohio/ Nashville, TN), Bass Guitar ( Shawn
Scrugs), Percussion (Matt Muha; Nashville, TN) and Additional Percussion (Ryan
Wilson)
Current location - Nashville, Tennessee
Home town -
Culley has been compared to country music legend Dolly
Parton, but said that was only down to her white blonde hair and curves,
adding: “It could be way worse.
It was when she was spotted by American country singer
Darius Rucker, lead singer of Grammy Award-winning band Hootie & the
Blowfish in a London restaurant that she saw a chance for her big break, deciding the way
to get noticed was to sing to him in front of the rest of the diners. She
seized her chance and her version of Strangers
and Angels by Kara DioGardi did the trick, resulting in him taking her
details and flying her out to the home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee
to record a duet with him the following week.
In January 2014 her 3 year VISA was approved and
she travelled to Nashville. On July 23, 2014
she posted that she is working with the amazing producer Paul Worley (Lady
Antebellum) on her upcoming record. They had known each other for the last two
years but this is their first collaboration together.
CONNECT with Fiona: Website – Facebook – Twitter - Soundcloud
CONNECT with Fiona: Website – Facebook – Twitter - Soundcloud
Maddie & Tae “Girl In A Country Song”
Ward Thomas Under The Apple Tree Bob Harris sessions >>
"Push
For The Stride" and “You
Ain't Woman Enough” (Loretta Lynn cover)
Bri Bagwell "Crazy"
Suzy Bogguss "Today
I Started Loving You Again" lyric video live from son
Ben's treehouse!
Austin Belle, the Vancouver-based Country duo, unveiled
the new music video for their latest single “Just Drive,” (Cordova Bay). Directed and produced by Victoria
visual artist, Michael Tension, the video exclusively premiered on
TopCountry.ca on July 21 and is available on UK iTunes
Morgan Riley's "Rowdy
Shoutin' Cowboys" Official Video slated to be the 1st
female country Rap Dance Song
COUNTRY FASHION
Taylor Swift Gym Fashion New Your Runway (Part 2)
Ever since Taylor Swift moved to New York City, her
every move has been tracked by the paparazzi, and her smart street style has
been the subject of dozens of gushing fashion blog entries.
She left her apartment with Karlie Kloss in tow arriving at the modelFIT workout gym in on July 21, 2014 she was seen wearing high-waisted J Brand ‘Dita High Rise Shorts in Shadow’ (Image), Rag & Bone ‘Miles Boot’ ($550.00; Image) and her fave porkpie Free People ‘Patton Porkpie Hat’ ($58.00) and she carried a Dolce & Gabbana ‘Large Agagta Shoulder Bag’ - Image
Arriving at the gym on July 22, 2014 Tay was spotted wearing Christian
Louboutin Lady Peep pumps. They feature raspberry leather,150mm heel
and 50mm platform (Fashion pic; $945.00). Lady Peep is
available in several styles at Christian Louboutin plus nude or black patent
leather at Barneys. Outfit Details: The sleeveless sea foam
green white flower printed was a Reformation
cut-out dress. She donned Ray-Ban original Wayfarer sunglasses carried a Tod’s Sella leather shoulder bag. She sent a
shoutout to her friend Selena Gomez over Instagram, wearing a ‘S’ necklace by Lulu Frost
to commemorate Sel’s 22nd birthday. Taylor’s brown eye shadow was spread evenly
underneath her eye along her bottom lash line. The shadow line was fairly thick
and brought out her bright blue eyes perfectly. On her eyelid, Taylor had a
thick swooping line of black liner that continued past her eye to create a
dramatic winged look - Image
On July 24, 2014 she sported a knitted Alice + Olivia
‘Elenore Crop Top’ ($187.00 $56.10 shopbop) with a Alice + Olivia ‘Davis Pleated Tweed
Skirt’ ($110.00 - bergdorfgoodman.com) showing off her
midriff. Her hair is utter perfection with a re-shortened length and her fringe.
She carried a Dolce
& Gabbana bag (£1,082.96; from the D&G Spring/Summer
collection) and wore Christian Louboutin ‘New Declic Suede Pumps’
($745.00) - Fashion Pic - Image - Read more Daily Mail
Taylor visited her stylist! The ‘I Knew You Were
Trouble’ singer was spotted out on Thursday (July 24) rockin’ the new
straighter ‘do with her bangs poofed a bit — and it is totally cute and
certainly suits her! Swifties everywhere are going to start requesting the new
Swift-inspired style. Her new hairstyle is a little shorter and very flattering
on the 24-year-old - Image
In her 2015 Calendar / iHeartRadio Music Festival promotion Taylor was wearing a Pamella Roland ‘Leather Inset Gown’ ($2900.00; neimanmarcus
). The neckline
features perforated leather cap sleeves and was altered into a square neckline
for Taylor.
In addition to appearing in her 2015 Calendar, this
image is also being used as promo for Taylor’s headlining appearance at this
year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival - Fashion Pic -
In the June 2015 Calender shot the young songstress is
wearing a Alice
+ Olivia ‘Marie Ruffle Dress’ - Fashion Pic
In the September 2015 shoot she sports a casual wavy striped Eva Franco ‘Behave Sweater’ ($135.00)
- Fashion Pic
The 2015 Taylor Swift Calendar (includes a six-month July
- Dec 2014 Planner) and will be available from Sept 1, 2014 on Amazon UK and currently available from Amazon.com - Image - Image
Filled with an abundance of holidays, each month's
grid is large enough for daily tasks and appointments.
Format: Standard Wall Size Closed: 12.0" x 12.0 " ; Size Opened: 12.0 " x 24.0 "; Publisher: BrownTrout; Product
ID: 201500005230)
Each mini calendar includes an opening spread with a
six-month (July-December 2014) overview. (Format: Mini Wall; Size Closed:
7.0" x 7.0 " ; Size Opened:
7.0 " x 14.0 " Grid Size:
X-Small Square)
Onslot Creative tweeted @onslot_creative Behind-the-scenes
with the beautiful @taylorswift13 shooting promo for the upcoming @iHeartRadio
Music Festival 2014!
Durango has tapped singer-songwriter Sarah Darling to lend her voice in a
different way than usual; the longtime Durango brand ambassador has designed a
capsule collection of western fashion boots for the iconic brand. In time for
Holiday 2014, Durango will add two distinct styles, designed by Sarah, to its
“Crush” line of footwear.
In the midst of her busy performance schedule, Sarah
traveled to Nelsonville, Ohio, home of Durango, to work directly with designers
to infuse her own voice into the designs, including bright colors and Sarah’s
autograph stitched into the lining.
"When I look my best, I perform my best!” states
Sarah Darling. “Durango makes me feel beautiful and confident wherever I go!
Getting to design my own boots is a dream come true! It's an amazing feeling
thinking of other ladies walking around in a Darling Original!"
The Sunflower Slouch boot in Sandy Brown is an
easy-to-wear boot with a covetable, worn-in look. Its sturdy 2 ¼” heel and
cushion-flex insole will keep feet comfortable at a weekend music festival or a
night spent dancing down Broadway. The Darling Coral boot is tall classic
western boot with a twist. The 14” shaft features bright coral-colored accents
on brown leather and a 2 ¼” heel. Both styles designs are currently available
for pre-order at www.durangoboots.com/darling. (HI RES Photos / Press
Release )
Miranda Lambert‘s pop-up boutique in Nashville is about to end its
run. And true to the singer’s big heart, the temporary store is closing its
doors in style — by donating to charities. Lambert’s original boutique in
Tishomingo, Oklahoma had so many fans from around the world visiting it, she
had to open a Music City pop-up branch. The merchandise store sells everything
from their famous tees to jewelry, fancy flasks to CDs — and, of course, there
is a lot of pink. Read More: Miranda Lambert's Pop-Up Pink Pistol Store in Nash Closing
Jessie James Decker the “Coming Home” singer and E! reality TV
star has a >> Kittenish
Makeup Tutorial (and bandana tying!).
COUNTRY GOSSIP
The woman Tim
McGraw slapped during that concert is now suing him. Jesslyn Taylor says pay up or
he’ll face a personal injury lawsuit and when she was thrown out of the show,
she was humiliated so along with a cash settlement, she also wants an apology
from Tim.
TWEETS
The Common Linnets tweeted: We've reached TRIPLE PLATINUM
status!!!! Amazing!!!! Thank you all so much for the support!New songs in the
making!!!
PHOTO
The Shires at The Water Rats, London by Frography (by Flex): Facebook Gallery
Quote: On the final leg of their UK tour, The Shires
sold out The Water Rats, London with a performance that was out of this world.
Looking at the crowd reactions when Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle bring their
vocal harmony together, it's not surprising why this duo is widely regarded as
the UK's most talented country act. Everyone is waiting for their album with
bated breath, and with the anthemic feel of some of their songs, I for one can't
wait to hear the full band sound once it's released!
BIRTHDAYS
July 28: George
Cummins (Dr Hook)(1938)
July 29: Martina
McBride (1966), James Otto
July 30: Neal McCoy
(1958)
July 31: Heather
Myles (1962), Zac Brown (1978)
August 1: George
Ducas (1966)
August 2: Hank
Cochran (1935)
August 3: Mick Flavin
(1950), Dean Sams (Lonestar) (1966),
Randy Scruggs (1953)
R.I.P
Country entertainer George Riddle (one of George Jones’ Jones Boys and the writer of
songs like “Hall of Shame,”) passed away Sunday, July 20 in his home state of
Indiana. The singer, songwriter and veteran sideman had reportedly been
battling throat cancer. He had surgery for the disease in May, then died of
complications at a hospital in Indianapolis. He was 78 years old...Read the
obit at musicrow.com
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