Country Bites News snippets
September 15 – September 21, 2014
SOURCES / LINKS shown in RED
UK & IRISH
News
UK Tour dates added for The Mavericks, Katie Armiger, Mike Ward,
Mary Black, Cherry Lee Mewis, Red Sky July, Callaghan, Nils Lofgren, Albert
Lee, The Toy Hearts, Brennen Leigh and Noel McKay, Jess Morgan, Lisbee Stainton
and Sasha McVeigh
Taylor Swift's POP single “Shake If Off” remained on the BBC Radio 2
"A" Playlist for week commencing Saturday 20th September.
She also climbed from the “B” to the “A” Radio 1 playlist.
First Aid Kit with “Stay Gold” stayed on the “B”
list. Lady Antebellum with “Lie With
Me” were added to the “C” list.
Kacey Musgraves "Keep It To Yourself" was
removed from the Radio 2 "C" list (first added week 16th August 2014).
Herefordshire
singer/songwriter Sasha McVeigh
tweeted @sashamcveigh I'm on a UK tour at
the moment before heading to
Nashville to record my album! Yes, having released her first (acoustic) EP last
year, Sasha is about to embark on a mini UK tour before returning to Nashville to
record her first full-length album in November. What’s more, she has three
months of tour planned for the UK at the beginning of 2015, and a 45-date tour
in the US later on that year. Things are looking bright for the 20-year-old,
and she’s just getting started. Her new single ‘Two Ships’ will be released in
January, with the album following in March (launching a Kickstarter project).
Some of the songs on from the EP will get full studio versions on the new
album, in addition to
featured track >> ‘Mr Brown Eyes’….. Read More
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top
100 Singles Chart (Week
Ending September 27, 2014)
Taylor Swift's “Shake It
Off” drifted 4-5 (45,294 sales; 5 weeks sales 203,895)
Official UK Top
100 Album Chart (Week
Ending September 27, 2014)
Dolly Parton with BLUE
SMOKE/THE BEST OF (Masterworks) fell 13-14 (6,000 estimated sales + 14-week
total 208,000).
Official UK
Country Album Chart (Week
Ending September 27, 2014)
Kacey Musgraves with SAME
TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK rebounded 3-1
in her 75th chart frame
The UK’s Ward Thomas with FROM WHERE WE STAND (WTW Music) held
at No.2 in their nineth week.
Red Sky July made their debut at No.3 with SHADOWBIRDS
Brad Paisley with MOONSHINE
IN THE TRUNK fell 1-4 in his fourth week.
The Earls Of Leicester with
their self titled album (Rounder)
arrived at No.6 which is a tribute to
Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs by Bluegrass all-stars: Jerry Douglas, Shawn
Camp, Johnny Warren, Charlie Cushman, Barry Bales, and Tim O’Brien.
THREE
BELLS a collaboration project consisting Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas, and
Rob Ickes made a debut at No.14. Longtime fans of country and bluegrass will,
no doubt, snatch up this collection upon its release, but those unfamiliar with
the dobro, or resonator guitar, will find this an excellent introduction to the
instrument’s distinctive sound and to three of its most talented players.
Auldridge passed away in 2012 just after these recordings were completed.
On the Hotdisc Chart (September 21, 2014 Chart)
Ray Scott held onto No.1 on the Top 40 for a second
week with "Drinkin' Beer".
Old timers Barry P.Foley & Doug Adkins were a non-mover
at No.2 with “Pretty Girls”
Former No.1 “It
Ain't All Good But It Ain't Half Bad” from Tony Stampley held at No.3 in its
seventh chart frame.
Newbie USA act Bruce Larson, climbed 6-5 with his debut European
release, "Fishin' Pole Dancin'"
whilst duo Native
Run with "Good On You"
lifted 7-6.
UK singer songwriter Mim Grey enters the upper tier as “Travelling Star” improved 13-9.
Outside of the Top 10:
Singer-songwriter Dave Sheriff amade a big stride northwards with a
18-11 leap for his self penned number “Highway
Number Nine” .
Germany’s Mandy Strobel with “Corner Café” climbed three rungs 19-16.
New USA Hotdisc act Beau + Luci advanced seven slots as
their single “Fire” made a 25-18.
Outside of the Top 20:
David Hingelfeldt
Project nudged
up 24-22 “Powder Keg” and Philip Claypool’s title cut single “Come On
Back Home” (Claypool/ Swatner) climbed four 27-23.
US singer Sarabeth second Hotdisc single “Nowhere With You” has got little
traction so far with a 29-27 shift. The same came be said for fellow Inde US Ashliegh Lisset
with her sophomore single, “Target On My
Heart” with a 37-34 move.
Prime cut “If I Love You” (T Randell Karber) from Luanne Hunt made an eight place jump
40-32.
There was a first appearance for duo Cameron Troy
with “Just Kiss Me” (writers Ann
Cameron and Steven Troy) with a No.37 debut, an act which is getting heavy
promotion on CMR Nashville so a little concerning for Django Promotions who are
pushing their European profile.
UK COUNTRY
ALBUM RELEASES
Help keep this BLOG alive! It doesn’t cost you extra,
but it helps us keep the lights on by supporting the Amazon CD / MP3 links
(17 June 2014) Veronica Ballestrini - Flip Side (Timbob Records)
10 Tracks UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(29 July 2014) Bari
Leigh - Tonight, I'm Unchained (Burnside Distribution)
10 Tracks/ Time: 36:22 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(12 August 2014) The
Elbow Jake Acoustic Band - There Are No Miracles Around Here (Catzpaw
Music) 15 Tracks/ Time: 55:13 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com The Nottingham-based band, made
up of John Merry (guitar, vocals, harmonica), Kevin Davenport (bass, vocals),
Barrie Storm (guitar, mandolin) and Andy Berwick (percussion) play country
rock, blues and folk and feature four-part harmonies. This debut album contains
15 self-penned tracks.
(2 Sept 2014) Karyn
Rochelle - Karyn Rochelle
9 Tracks/ Time: 34:03 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(15 Sep 2014) (Decca) Three Bells - Rob Ickes Jerry Douglas Mike Auldridge
CD
– UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(22 Sept 2014) Tim McGraw - Sundown Heaven Town (Decca (UMO))
18 Tracks (Deluxe Edition) Time: 1:09:54 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com
(22 Sept 2014) Kenny
Chesney - The Big Revival
11 Tracks/ Time: 39:49 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com
(22 Sept 2014) Lee
Ann Womack - The Way I'm Livin' (Sugar Hill Records)
13 Tracks/ Time: 46:10 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music [16 tracks, Walmart US Exclusive Deluxe,
£17.99] Amazon.com
Vinyl / Autographed Poster - Sugar Hill Records Store
(23 Sep 2014) Big
& Rich – Gravity (B&R Records)
11 Tracks CD - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
(23 Sep 2014) Josh Abbott Band - Tuesday Night EP
5 Tracks UK iTunes
(23 Sep 2014) Lori
McKenna - Numbered Doors (Hoodie Songs)
10 Tracks/ Time: 37:11 MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
($3.99!)
(22 Sep 2014) Justin
Townes Earle - Single Mothers (Loose Music)
10 Tracks/ Time: 29:46 CD - UK iTunes - Smart Choice Music - Amazon.com
CANADIAN NEWS
CCMA Award
winningSinger-songwriter Victoria Banks:
For the Love, Not the Money...(Facebook Post)
NEWS
Country Aircheck's Insider Artist News
September 19, 2014: Eric Church
(Singing To The Choir), Lee Ann Womack
(Country Crossroads), Luke Bryan
(Farm Team), George Hamilton IV
(Chronicle: Condolences),
September 23, 2014: Tim McGraw
(Story Behind The Album Cover), Jerrod
Niemann (Niemann's Nuptials), Taylor
Swift (House Party), Faith Hill and
Tim McGraw (Two-Part Harmony), The
Grand Ole Opry (89 Years Young),
Warner Music Nashville (WMN) artist Faith Hill has inked a management deal
with SANDBOX ENTERTAINMENT in Nashville.
They currently rep other Country artists, including
Shania Twain, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, and Dan + Shay. Faith has not
released a non-holiday album since "Fireflies" in 2005, but has been
active as of late
She tweeted hayley christines Blessed to call this
amazing man my fiancé @thubbmusic #Godgavemeyou #loveisintheair
Follow Hayley on Instagram
TOURS
Justin Moore is firing his Off the Beaten Path tour back up
starting October 23 in Columbia, Missouri. Thomas Rhett and Colt Ford are
joining him for select dates of the 11-city trek.
Carrie Underwood covered one of R.E.M.'s signature songs
Saturday night at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City. The pregnant artist delivered a sweet rendition of
"Everybody Hurts." The rest of her set in Central Park was packed
with hits such as "Jesus, Take the Wheel," "Blown Away" and
"Before He Cheats." At one point, Carrie told the audience that her
appearance at the event represented one of the top highlights of her career. The
festival included a couple of special guests: Beyoncé joined her husband,
headliner Jay Z, for two songs, and Sting paired up with No Doubt for a cover of
The Police hit "Message in a Bottle."
AWARDS
Country music fans, superstar Music City talent and
industry elite turned out in force for the Academy of Country Music’s 8th Annual ACM Honors,
an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera
category winners from the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The sold-out special event, hosted by Jake
Owen, was held in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium and was sponsored
by City National Bank.
The evening included a mix of live music, historical
video retrospectives and current video tributes and interviews with industry
veterans honoring Special Awards recipients Bob Beckham (posthumously), Steve
Buchanan, Jack Clement (posthumously), Dean Dillon, Toby Keith, Kris
Kristofferson, Ronnie Milsap, Paul Moore, BuckOwens (posthumously), Carrie
Underwood and Rascal Flatts. Shane McAnally was honored as Songwriter of the Year.
Read The FULL Press Release for information on the artists who performed, who
presented and full awards list at: acmcountry.com and a report at billboard.com
BMI has named Vince
Gill the 2014 BMI Icon. The country star will be honored at the upcoming
62nd annual BMI Country Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 4, which celebrate songwriters
and publishers of this year’s greatest country hits. The award is given to
“songwriters who have had a unique and indelible influence on generations of
music makers,” and Gill certainly fits that bill.
Americana Honors & Awards
Highlights
Jason Isbell picks up Artist, Album and Song of the
Year Awards Show Propelled by Performances from Loretta Lynn, Jackson Browne,
Taj Mahal, Flaco Jimenez, Robert Plant, Cassandra Wilson, Marty Stuart,
Sturgill Simpson, Valerie June, Parker Milsap, Patty Griffin, Devil Makes
Three, Ry Cooder and More
Nashville, Tenn. — Sept. 17, 2014 — Jason Isbell was the big winner at the 13th Annual
Americana Honors & Awards show held at the historic Ryman
Auditorium, picking up honors for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for
Southeastern, produced by
Dave Cobb) and Song of the Year (for “Cover Me Up,”
which he performed with his wife Amanda Shires).
Isbell stood tall among a cross section of legends and
upstarts that performed on the show, among them Lifetime Achievement honorees
Loretta Lynn, Jackson Browne, Flaco Jimenez and Taj Mahal, as well as Rodney
Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Patty Griffin, Robert Plant, Cassandra Wilson, Marty
Stuart, Hurray for the Riff Raff, the McCrary Sisters, Devil Makes Three, Hard
Working Americans, Sturgill Simpson, Valerie June, Parker Milsap, Ry Cooder and
more. Jim Lauderdale hosted.
Read more and see the list of the 2014 Winners - Press Release
TV
Emily West came in second on America’s Got Talent.
The singer is currently raising funds for a new album via Pledge Music.
It has already reached its target raising 166% of its
goal with over 90 days to go.
Lady Antebellum is taking their 747 album launch to your
TV. They'll perform three songs on NBC's Today on Tuesday when 747 lands in
stores and online. Look for them to stop by NBC's Tonight Show Starring Jimmy
Fallon on Wednesday.
The third season premiere of ABC’s Nashville earned an initial
1.5 adults 18-49 rating, down from a 2.0 adults 18-49 rating at last year’s
second season premiere, according to zap2it.com. However, it has risen from the
1.3 adults 18-49 rating that season 2s finale earned. Number of viewers live +
SD are estimated at 5.6 million. The season 3 premiere featured live
performances from Chip Esten (“Deacon”) and Chris Carmack (“Will”), and a
special live performance from Florida Georgia Line.
MUSIC NEWS
The Guardian - Jeff Tweedy: Why
the album still matters: Romantic about vinyl: Whenever the so-called
experts say the album is dying as a format, I think: “Since when have we
listened to so-called experts?” Are video games killing chess as well?
I’ve just made a double album, Sukierae, which has two
distinct discs. I understand in this day and age there might not be many people
who will listen to it that way, but it doesn’t matter – because I want to
listen that way......The Wilco man’s latest offering, Sukierae, is a double
vinyl album by design. He explains how the format shaped his aesthetic and set
him on an ‘inevitable path’.
The decline of the album began with the advent of the
CD. The maximum amount of music on a vinyl album is 50 minutes over two sides.
The CD format is much longer. I don’t think there are many pieces of music – my
own records included – that can sustain interest over 40 minutes without a
break, and leaping around from idea to idea for that amount of time gets
exhausting.
CD artwork also reduced the album’s impact. If you’ve
got a 12-inch album with a picture of somebody’s head on it, it’s the same size
as your head. You can sit it up and talk to it.
Billboard Which Music Streaming Service
Is the Biggest Worldwide?
Ranking based on number of paid subscribers (if
available), global footprint, strongest markets and relative popularity.
Streaming services are proliferating at an alarming
rate, as the industry has come to recognize that access -- storing no files
locally, but having millions available -- will overtake ownership as the way
that most fans will listen to and interact with their favorite music. With so
many entrants competing for dominance, Billboard decided to take an overview at
each of the most popular.
#1 Spotify / Countries Available 57 / Global
Subscribers 10 million/ Strongest
Markets Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland
Billboard.com - What Will the Music Business
Look Like in Five Years?
The question is: Will streaming help the record
business recover its past financial glory? I think not. Regrettably, even if
digital streaming services continue to gain subscribers and/or ad income, the
Internet and digital apps (including those that enable ripping music and video
streams, and others that link directly to pirate sites) make it so easy to
acquire free unauthorized music -- especially for young people who are adept at
using technology and who are not in the habit of paying for music -- that the
recording business will probably never return to its former financial
success. Over the same time frame as
this massive industry contraction, income from music publishing (income from
songs including public performance, mechanical royalties and synch fees) has
been stagnant. Although performance revenue has increased, mechanical income
from record sales has dramatically declined. Paradoxically, the only part of
the music business that is more successful now than in the pre-digital era is
live performance. ….
PRESS RELEASES
- Priceless
legacy of 'Beauty Is…' proves Ray Price's relevancy in a new
generation of music
- Big & Rich teamed
with CMT for exclusive World Premiere of "Look At You" music
video
- Tim McGraw Cut-By-Cut "Words Are Medicine" hits all the buttons
- TG Sheppard launching
Fall Concert Tour across U.S.
- Jim Ed Brown set to release
first solo album, IN STYLE AGAIN, in 30 years (out Jan 2015)
- Kenny Rogers sits down with veteran newsman Dan
Rather for an in depth interview where he discusses
his legendary five-plus decade career on AXS TV’s THE BIG
INTERVIEW, Tuesday, September 24.
- Charlie Daniels announces
the legendary “Volunteer Jam,” which began in 1974 at War
Memorial Auditorium when Daniels and his friends recorded a live version
of “Fire On The Mountain,” will take place at the Bridgestone Arena in
Nashville, Tennessee, on August 12, 2015, to raise awareness and funds for
The Journey Home Project.
- Rascal Flatts, Eli Young Band & Danielle Bradbery are latest additions
to growing 2015
Tree Town Music Festival Line-Up
- Aaron Lewis safe after
a private charter jet he was a passenger on was disabled an error caused
the Cessna Citation V jet to veer off the taxiway and become stuck in
mud.
- Kayla Adams will be flying high with VIRGIN Airlines during the
month of October. The carrier will be showing the Country newcomer's debut
music video, "Sober & Sorry," on flights to and from
Australia, and on all domestic runs in the U.S.
- Lee Ann Womack's brand new album, The Way I'm Livin' drops (Sugar Hill Press)
- Donna Ulisse heading to Raleigh for the biggest Bluegrass
Week ever!
- Nancy Jones presents Zaxby's with George Jones
Collectibles
ARTICLES
The American Songwriter Shovels
& Rope: From A Scratch
And A Hope -
American Songwriter Analysis: The 13th Annual Americana Honors & Awards (by
Jewly Hight)....All told, the awards show veered toward some pretty far-flung
sensibilities, but that’s a sign of growth, and of Americana, as a scene, a
genre, an industry, living up to its broad-as-Jimmie Rogers potential.
An Open Letter To Garth
Brooks (Duncan Warwick,
editor Country Music People) . .....Then why oh why did you end up cutting
"People Loving People"? It’s utter rubbish. I know you’ve listened to
way too many rock records over the years for my own particular liking but this
is worse than bad 80's rock. Even Chris Gaines would have passed on this
one!..So Garth, you really could make the record you want to make and I find it
hard to believe that this is such a record. I can only assume that you were
either poorly advised or your new record deal doesn’t give you as much freedom
as it should. Garth, what were you thinking? ….. Facebook Post
The river for Garth Brooks
has run dry on this new
song "People Loving People." I will try my best not to commit this
song to memory, since this isn't the Garth Brooks that I grew up listening to
and loved. It garners a D- rating. Let's hope that his upcoming album will
consist of much stronger material for his fans and listeners, since this was
certainly not a great way to introduce a
new project. Read more: Digital Journal
Grantland.com/hollywood Garth Brooks’s
Comeback Single ‘People Loving People’ Is Definitely in a Low Place
Brooks’s new comeback song, “People Loving
People,” sounds like it was written by Cartman. The whole thing is like a fake
South Park song about awareness…
REVIEWS
Red Molly - The Red Album (Fatea Album Review)
Reg Meuross - England Green & England Grey
(Hatsongs) Fatea Review
The Cains Trio - "Be Yourself With Me" (Single
Review - Daily Country.com)
Two Way Crossing - "Deep End" (Single Review - Daily Country.com )
Dierks Bentley "Say You Do" (Single Review - Daily Country.com)
INTERVIEWS
Listen to duo Cameron
Troy phone interview with Lee Williams first broadcast on CMR Nashville "Europe's
#1 Country Music Radio Station" first broadcast on Sept 19, 2014.
They speak about how they first met and formed, their new European single “Just
Kiss Me”, their career to date and a remarkable story about how Ann Cameron
found her voice:
BOOKS
Rita
Coolidge has signed with Harper Collins for a 2015 book release that will offer
readers an intimate and fascinating journey into her personal story of survival
as well as her professional emergence as an influential force amid the iconic
music and musicians that built the foundation of the 60’s-70’s pop/rock universe
in American culture – Press Release.
LISTEN
NY Times.com Listen in full to the 2 CD set Marty Stuart - Saturday Night & Sunday Morning. On his 15th
studio album, the five-time Grammy winner Marty Stuart paid tribute to two
pillars of country music: rowdy Saturday nights and soulful Sunday mornings.
NPR
Marty Stuart And His Fabulous
Superlatives on World Café Marty Stuart And His Fabulous Superlatives can
melt your heart with four-part harmonies, rock your bones with honky tonk, and
dazzle you with picking worthy of their name. They even take you to church on
their new, partially gospel-influenced double album, Saturday Night/Sunday
Morning.....
SPOTIFY COUNTRY
For users of this
online music streaming service here are some of the more recent additions and
recommendations.
When it's free and
easy on Spotify who needs music piracy?
Links below require you to have installed SPOTIFY and
have the application open
Kenny Chesney – The Big Revival - 11 Tracks (39
mins) released Sept 23, 2014
Big & Rich – Gravity - 11 tracks released Sept
30, 2014
Lee Ann Womack – The Way I'm Livin' - 13 tracks, released Sept 23, 2014
Lori McKenna – Numbered Doors - 10 tracks, released Sept 23, 2014
FREE DOWNLOADS
Sturgill Simpson's authenticity stands out like an island of
hope in a sea of tacky. Pure and uncompromising, devoid of gloss and fakery.
High Top Mountain’s dozen instant classics evoke the sound of timeless country
in its many guises. for an email share Download 4 tracks from noisetrade.com : "You
Can Have the Crown", "Railroad of Sin", "Some Days"
(all 192kbps MP3's) and a low audio quality "Four Flame Candle"
(96kbps MP3)
Justin Townes Earle ahead of the highly anticipated release of
his sixth studio release Single Mothers (out 9.9.14 on Vagrant Records) held
court at EastSide Manor for a bare bones solo set of new material. for an email
share Download 5 tracks from noisetrade.com
Jess Morgan's 'Animal EP' is only available for digital
download and comprises a set of tracks/ demos/ alternate versions/ live
versions put together because they share an animal theme! The UK contemporary
folk/ Americana singer-songwriter has now rolled some of her animal songs out with a Noisetrade FREE download for an email share.
She had a headline show in LONDON (UK) on October 7th 2014.
WATCH
Dierks Bentley "Say
You Do"
Veronica Ballestrini "Cookies
and Cream"
Lindi Ortega "Lived
And Died Alone"
Rose's Pawn Shop "What Were You Waiting For" vevo
video http://vevo.ly/03AUz3
Lady Antebellum "I
Did With You"
Aussie performer, Courtney
Conway has a video for "Girly
Girl"
Rising star (?) Sandra
Lynn has had previous singles appear on SiriusXM and worked with well known
director Trey Fanjoy for the video to her first single “You Belong.” >> “Hangin’ Witchu’” is the follow-up to that
track and was written by Brett James, Traci Hale and Caitlyn Smith.
Kacey Musgraves performed >>"Biscuits" and talked hanging with Katy
Perry, New Music at iHeartRadio Fest. Might "Biscuits" end up on her
next project? "I love that song so much. I don’t wanna make any promises
to myself before the whole thing takes shape because anything could change. But
I do love that song and I do have a few that I’m really excited about.
Boston singer-songwriter Lori McKenna has a new record >> "Numbered Doors" . Artists who have cut
her songs and gained chart sucesss include Faith Hill ("Stealing
Kisses", "Fireflies"), Little Big Town ("Your Side of the
Bed", "Sober") and Hunter Hayes ("I Want Crazy")
Nothing has changed on the UK Brit Country scene in
over 20 years!:
Sarah Jory FLASHBACK! - >> In her early 20's talking in this 1990's interview
BIRTHDAYS
22 September: June
Forester (Forester Sisters) (1956) Debby
Boone (1956)
23 September: The late Ray
Charles (Sept 23 1930, died – June
10, 2004 (aged 73))
24 September: Wayne
Jacobs
25 September: Ian
Tyson (1932), Joe Sun (1943), Royce
Kendall - (1933)
26 September: Carlene
Carter (1955), David Frizzell
(1941), Lynn Anderson (1947), the
late Marty Robbins (Sept 26, 1925; died Dec 8, 1982 (aged 57)), Olivia Newton John (1948)
27 September: Brian Collins
September 28: Mandy
Barnett (1975), Karen Fairchild of Little Big
Town (9/28)
R.I.P
 |
| George Hamilton IV-Montage CLICK to ENLARGE |
George Hamilton had a heart attack on Saturday September 13, 2014, and died at the age of 77 on Wednesday September 17 at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville
- George
Hege Hamilton IV (July 19, 1937 – September 17, 2014) was an American
country musician.
- He began
performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, later switching to country
music in the early 1960s.
- After an
early foray into pop, Hamilton became a country stalwart, scoring 40 hits
in the 1960s and 70s.
- He was
inducted into Nashville's Grand Old Opry in 1960 and continued to work
until shortly before he was taken ill.
- In the
later phase of his career, Hamilton, who was born in North Carolina, concentrated
on gospel music and making recordings of inspiration recitations, a type
of spiritual song.
- He also
became a regular guest singer with evangelist Billy Graham on his many
rallies around the world.
- His most
recent album, made in 2010, was a gospel-influenced collection featuring a
host of guest artists.
International ambassador
- At the
start of his career in 1956, Hamilton had a top five hit in the US with A
Rose and A Baby Ruth, which led to tours with pop idols Buddy Holly and
the Everly Brothers. But he was steered into the world of country music,
after being mentored by Chet Atkins.
- In the
1970s, he exported the music of Nashville around the world, becoming an
international ambassador for the genre.
- Hamilton
became the first country musician to perform in the the Soviet Union and
Czechoslovakia; he made his first visit to the UK in 1967.
- He was a
regular visitor to Scotland, and in 2004 produced an album of songs called
Hamilton's Other Country.
- His highest charting albums Steel Rail Blues No.3 (US Top Country Albums) and Folk Country Classics which peaked at #3 in 1967
Top Singles:
"A Rose and a Baby Ruth" #6 Billboard Hot
100 (1956)
"Why
Don't They Understand" #10 Billboard Hot 100 (1958)
"Before This Day Ends" #4 Hot Country Songs
(1960)
"Three Steps to the Phone (Millions of
Miles)" #9 Hot Country Songs (1961)
"If You Don't Know I Ain't Gonna Tell You"
#6 (1962)
"Abilene" #15 Billboard Hot 100 & #1 Hot
Country Songs (1963)
"Fort Worth, Dallas or Houston" #9 Hot
Country Songs (1964)
"Early Morning Rain" (written by Gordon
Lightfoot) #9 Hot Country Songs (1966)
"Break My Mind" #6 Hot Country Songs (1967)
"Urge for Going" #7 Hot Country Songs (1967)
"She's a Little Bit Country" #3 Hot Country Songs (1970)
He appeared some 17 times at the Wembley Country Music festivals starting out on April 5th 1969
right up to the comeback festival on Sunday, February 26th 2012 (which returned
after a 20-year absence) . After the interval George introduced Lonestar and
Ricky Skaggs with Reba McEntire appearing after the second interval.
Video
Watch him perform "Abilene"
(Fort Worth, Dallas Or Houston 1966)
George Hamilton IV "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" recorded for Chapel Hill
record label, Colonial Records. The song, written by John D. Loudermilk,
climbed to No. 6 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart. By 1960 it had
attained gold record status for ABC-Paramount.
Hamilton is survived by his wife Tinky , two sons
George V and Peyton and daughter Mary. - BBC News
Visitation was held Tuesday, September 23 from 4 to 7
p.m. at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home in Franklin, Tenn. (3009 Columbia
Ave.). A memorial service at the
Ryman Auditorium was due to follow on Wednesday, September 24 at 11 a.m. (open
to the public). - The Tennessean
The Tennessean Read Mr.Hamilton's obituary (by Peter Cooper): George
Hamilton IV, 50-year Opry star, dies at age 77
Find George Hamilton IV albums on Amazon.com and remember the music he left
us. R.I.P
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