Tuesday 8 December 2015

Brandy Clark’s “Hold My Hand” Receives Grammy Nomination


Brandy Clark’s “Hold My Hand” Receives Grammy Nomination

This is Clark’s Fourth Career GRAMMY Nomination in Just Two Years

Brandy Clark's "Hold My Hand" was announced Monday Dec 7, 2015 as a GRAMMY nominee for Country Song of the Year.
The song, written by Clark and Mark Stephen Jones, is from Clark's debut album 12 Stories, which was originally released by Slate Creek Records before being re-released by Warner Bros. Records.
Clark performed the song with Dwight Yoakam earlier this year on the 2015 GRAMMY Awards in one of the night's most talked-about moments.
Brandy Clark: Credit: David McClister





















Clark, who has spent much of the year working on her upcoming second album due out in 2016, said, "Wow! I was not expecting this news today. What a surprise and a fantastic way to start my week. I appreciate the support and respect from the GRAMMY voters. It means the world to me."


  • This is the fourth career GRAMMY nomination for Clark.
  • She received two nominations in 2014 in the Best Country Album (12 Stories) and the all-genre Best New Artist categories, and one nomination in 2013 for Best Country Song for "Mama's Broken Heart," a No. 1 hit for Miranda Lambert that Clark co-wrote with Shane McAnally and Kacey Musgraves.
  • Clark is currently on the road with Jennifer Nettles, after opening for Alan Jackson on his "25th Anniversary Tour" earlier this year. 
  • She won the CMA Song of the Year Award last year for "Follow Your Arrow," which she also co-wrote with McAnally and Musgraves.
  • She was named the 2014 Music Row Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
For more information, visit BrandyClarkMusic.com.
Follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/TheBrandyClark  and on Twitter @TheBrandyClark.

ICYMI: Our Album of the Year for 2013 was Brandy Clark’s 12 Stories.
Read our Wikipedia Page

12 Stories, the debut album from Grammy and CMA-nominated singer-songwriter Brandy Clark.
Teaming up with producer Dave Brainard (Jerrod Niemann, Ray Scott), Brandy used her writing gift and distinctly country voice to craft 12 Stories, a record that has touched everyone lucky enough to hear it.
Available to purchase at Amazon UK and UK iTunes


What the Press said:
CD of The Month (5 STARS) Country Music People - Read the Review
Allmusic (Rating: 4.5 Stars) the superb 12 Stories showcases a unique artist who stands firmly, proudly on her own merits.
American Songwriter (Rating: 4 STARS) ..a record full of humor and pain, remorse and reckoning, is one of the very best country debuts of 2013.

Billboard (by Chuck Dauphin) “Wow” ...I don’t think I have ever started a review so simply in my decade-plus of writing them. But, sometimes, you can say a lot more with less than you can otherwise
Country Weekly (Rating: A+) ...a staggeringly great collection of original tunes that paint vivid, honest portraits of real life, from a uniquely feminine perspective....While the men are stuck in the backwoods, Brandy is busy digging through the human condition.

Entertainment Weekly (Rating: B+) Clark keeps things edgy, singing about divorce, drugs, jail, and Jesus—a.k.a. country music’s Golden Quadrangle—with matter-of-fact sass and ample twang.
The L.A. Times (Rating: 3.5/4 STARS). …find this record and listen to a dozen dazzlingly witty and insightful takes on the struggles of the working class, neglected and/or mistreated women, the battle between right and wrong and the pros and cons of chemical mood enhancers....This is the country debut of the year.

Roughstock (Rating: 5 STARS)..... There's not one throw away track, one throw away note, or one throw away lyric. Instead, it's a well-made and produced and definitely worth seeking out.
NY Post (rating; 4 STARS) ...this is the most compulsively re-playable album of 2013, country or otherwise



The Mavericks Make Magic Once Again With Two Grammy Nominations

THE MAVERICKS MAKE MAGIC ONCE AGAIN 
WITH TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
 

Recognized in Best American Roots Song & Best Americana Album 
Categories Two Decades After Last Win




NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ever enticing loyal fans with their unique fusion of melodies and charisma that evoke a palpable groove, The Mavericks have once again impressed an elite industry group. The troupe of musical comrades — Raul Malo (lead vocals), Paul Deakin (drums), Eddie Perez (guitars) and Jerry Dale McFadden(keyboards) — earned two GRAMMY nominations this morning in both the Best American Roots Song (“All Night Long”) and Best Americana Album (Mono) categories.
The honor comes two decades after they took home Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for “Here Comes the Rain.”
Pictured (L-R): Eddie Perez, Paul Deakin, Jerry Dale McFadden, Raul Malo  
























“We are incredibly grateful that our music is able to do exactly what we intended … free people from themselves and their struggles,” shared Malo. “On the road our fans dance, cry, sing, laugh and get into a vibe that transcends outside obstacles like race, language and social status. Thank you to the Recording Academy for noticing and again believing in the Mavericks.”
Continued Perez, “this band has always defied the odds and expectations … a country band from Miami with a Cuban singer? But it works, because people feel the passion.”

The Mavericks have re-emerged with an unbridled urgency since signing to Big Machine Label Group imprint the Valory Music Co. — named the Americana Music Awards Duo/Group of theYear; producing two well-received albums, In Time (2013) and Mono (2015), the latter of which spent two weeks at #1 on the Americana Airplay Charts; debuting new music on national television shows such as NBC’s Late Night With Seth Meyers (“All Night Long”), TBS’ Conan (“Summertime (When I’m With You)”) and CBS This Morning Saturday (“Back in Your Arms Again”). 

(16 Feb 2015) Mavericks - Mono (Decca/ The Valory Music)
12 Tracks/ Time: 42:40 CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com - Test Drive on SPOTIFY

Music critics across the globe experiencing the headline Mono Mundo Tour and listening to the fresh tracks enthused:  


“The ability to transcend time, to merge Latin cultures seamlessly with American rock/pop/country standards, to offer the erogenous without salacious slather, The Mavericks […] created a new world for post-country country—as musically satisfying as it is hormone-peaking.”
—PASTE
“The Mavericks became great by cutting through the din in smoky rooms where studio tricks didn't factor in — only a killer voice, indelible hooks and the ability to draw in even the most distracted listeners.”
—NPR
"Country's coolest, most versatile band, led by the silver-throated Raul Malo, returns with more country infused with elements of world music, rock, jazz and whatever else the group has decided to throw in.”
—ROLLING STONE
“…their sound is as sleek as ever. The record was recorded in just five days; that fact alone testifies to how strong they are live.”
—THE VILLAGE VOICE
“With a sound as distinctive as John Fogerty or even Steely Dan, they managed to not only reconstitute themselves, but retain their visionary musically integrity … they’ve caught lightning in a bottle yet again.” 
—VINTAGE GUITAR
“It’s big, bold and still stands out next to anything coming from Nashville.” 
—BILLBOARD

Malo will join a host of talent during the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Songconcert event to honor Willie Nelson, airing on PBS on January 15, 2016.
The 2016 GRAMMY Awards air on Monday, February 15 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS 
For upcoming tour dates and more, visit TheMavericksBand.com.  

Dianna Corcoran Embarks to the Big Apple in Support of Forthcoming Album

Dianna Corcoran Embarks to the Big Apple in Support of Forthcoming Album, In America
(Nashville, Tenn. – Dec. 7, 2015) – Australian-born songstress and guitar player, Dianna Corcoran, recently visited with the staff at Glamour MagazineSELF Magazine and Spotify in New York, N.Y in support of her forthcoming album, In America. Dianna was in town for her performance at Rockwood Music Hall on Dec. 2. 
The album will be Dianna’s stateside debut, which is set to release on Jan. 29, 2016.

Fans can Pre-order In America now on US iTunes and UK iTunes 
For more information on Dianna Corcoran

Visit her Socials: Follow her on InstagramTwitter and Facebook.

Pictured above: Dianna Corcoran (right) with Glamour Magazine’s Associate Digital Editor, Anna Moeslein.
Pictured above: Dianna Corcoran (left) with SELF Magazine’s Entertainment Assistant, Elyse Roth.


Pictured above: Dianna Corcoran (right) with Spotify’s Artist in Residence,Royston Langdon.

Wednesday 11 November 2015

Kacey Musgraves At The Sage Gateshead LIVE REVIEW

Kacey Musgraves At The Sage Gateshead LIVE REVIEW

Monday 9th November 2015 (by Brian Clough)
The Texas native Kacey Musgraves announced a 6 date UK tour in November, and those in the North East were delighted that The Sage Gateshead was her first tour stop.

Albeit that we head into the winter months a breath of spring blew into the North East on Monday night with the arrival of country artist Kasey Musgraves who played the first date of a mini tour at The Sage Gateshead.
It also seemed as if Christmas had arrived early with a stage set of snowflake and star lights accompanied by her five piece band whose suits were adorned with static/flashing mini lights .























Resplendent in her sparkly tights and Tutu styled outfit she launched into her ninety minute set with the title track of her last album ‘Pageant Material’…and looked the part.
Hit after hit followed, from “Biscuits’ through ‘Step Off”,’Blow Some Smoke,’Family’,’High Time’, and an acoustic solo performance of ‘Same Trailer-Different Park ‘ from her first album release in 2013.

Often known for her controversial lyrics in the conservative country music genre it mattered not to the packed to capacity audience …It was plain to see that her music and awards had preceded her.

Injections of fun featured when she introduced the band members to display their other talents apart from their musicianship which was honed to perfection.

Apart from her obvious singer/songwriter talent Kasey Musgrave proved that she is a formidable entertainer who enjoys what she does which was more than appreciated by a tumultuous standing ovation at the end of a brilliant show.
A special mention must also go to the sound and lighting engineers who added a memorable lighting display and atmosphere to the show.

Top marks to the Sage Gateshead for having the insight to give the North East a chance to see a superstar of longevity.
Other shows in Birmingham and Glasgow are already sold out whilst limited tickets are available for Manchester Albert Hall (16th Nov) and London Royal Albert Hall on November 18th.

The Sage Set List:
Pageant Material, Biscuits, Step Off, This Town, Silver Lining, Mama’s Broken Heart, No Scrubs  [TLC Cover], Fine, Dimestore Cowgirl, Family Is Family, Stupid, It Is What It Is, Yellow [Coldplay Cover], Somebody to Love, Merry Go ‘Round [Solo],
High Time, Silver Lining, Blowin’ Smoke, Late to the Party, Die Fun, Follow Your Arrow,
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ [Nancy Sinatra Cover]
Encore: Happy Trails [Roy Rogers Cover]

Available for Purchase:
Kacey Musgraves - Pageant Material (Mercury Records) released June 23, 2015
14 Tracks/ Time: 46:02 (Country Music People June 2015; 4.5 Stars)
PAGEANT MATERIAL made a debut at No.11 on the Official UK Country Album Chart (7,284 sales; chart week July 4, 2015) during a 5-week chart run. 
It then fell to #29, then #40, then #63, then #100.

Related POST
Chronicle Live (By Simon Rushworth)
Kacey Musgraves's Country and Western Rhinestone Revue Tour captivates an audience at Sage Gateshead

The diminutive Texan, who was nominated three times at the recent Country Music Awards played a treat of a gig on Tyneside
Strip away the shimmering veneer and Kacey Musgraves emerges as much more than the poster girl for country music’s 21st century revolution.

On the surface the diminutive Texan’s immaculate hair, Barbie-doll dress and flashing cowboy boots scream style over substance, shallowness over depth.
However, that’s the glorious juxtaposition where this fascinating performer is concerned.
A revealing set painstakingly unearthed layer upon layer of heartfelt emotion: Musgraves made a point of thanking her British audiences for meticulously dissecting her lyrics and her words really do matter. Listen carefully and it’s likely the 27-year-old has a rhyming couplet or two just for you.

The first stop on the UK leg of the Country & Western Rhinestone Revue Tour delivered in every respect. If the staid Sage crowd initially surprised Musgraves, the accomplished musician swiftly overcame the audience’s reluctance to rise from their seats and party.

This was no ‘yee-haw’ stomp through country’s clichéd past. Far from it. Musgraves has built a reputation on dealing with the real-life issues that really matter. All wrapped up in clever word-play, her refreshing take on liberalism – she tackles same-sex relationships, religion and recreational drug use – might shock country music’s died-in-the-wool conservatives but her unique brand of biting reality worked a treat on Tyneside.

Surrounding herself with a sparkling band – the majority of whom had a trick or two up their sleeves – this was Musgraves in her element.
Flying solo on an affecting version of breakthrough hit Merry Go ‘Round, the Mineola native served up a potent reminder that less really can be more. The a cappella version of Roy Rogers’ Happy Trails reinforced the point and proved to be a fitting finale to a fantastic night.

If covers of TLC’s No Scrubs and Coldplay’s Yellow briefly threatened to break the mould, then a glorious rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are made For Walkin’ referenced Musgraves’ country roots in spades.
However, it’s the singer songwriter’s original material that consistently hits the mark and marks her out for future glory.

Related Post: 
Ain’t Nothing Dimestore Cowgirl About Kacey Musgraves 
Gateshead (09/11/2015) by Samantha Stanley
For the most part the crowd were quite subdued initially, something Kacey addressed after performing her first three songs by saying she could tell Gateshead were a polite crowd but they needed to get over that and asked if people could stand for at least half a song. It broke the ice and from then on she had the sold out crowd eating out the palm of her hand.....Despite the crowd being quite a mix of ages, one thing everyone loved in Kacey’s set was her unique choice in cover songs — the first being the R&B track No Scrubs by TLC, followed by a lovely version of Coldplay’s Yellow......Read More ukcountrymusic.net

Support - Sugar & The Hi-Lows

Following the release of their sophomore album, High Roller, which dropped on June 23 on Ready Set / Milkglass LLC, Nashville duo Sugar & The Hi-Lows announced a US/UK fall tour supporting Kacey Musgraves.
10 Tracks/ Time: 36:49 Indie & Alternative MP3 | UK iTunes | Amazon.com | SPOTIFY  
Sugar & The Hi-Lows might have called their album ‘High Roller’ as a more collective embrace of everyone’s idiosyncrasies, but it ultimately stands as their own self-fulfilling prophecy, a true description of what they have achieved.)
Read Full Album Review at  For The Country Record
Top Tracks: ** Morning Joy, * Graffiti Hearts

The band will ring in the new year at the Jack Daniel’s Bash On Broadway in downtown Nashville alongside Kings of Leon, The Whigs, Wild Cub, and Kelsea Ballerini, followed by a week of shows aboard the Cayamo Cruise this January. 

After hundreds of co-writes together, things clicked one day in 2012 when Nashville singer-songwriters Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup penned “This Can’t Be The Last Time.” Already critically successful songwriters in their own right, when the two combined to form Sugar & The Hi-Lows the accolades quickly followed. After the release of the group’s self-titled LP in 2012, USA TodayRolling StonePASTE Magazine, and American Songwriter all lauded the duo’s vintage and vibrant sound. On this latest release, High Roller, Trent and Amy opened up the writing process for the first time, penning the album’s title track with famed songwriter Barry Dean (Ingrid Michaelson, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, Nikki Lane, Carrie Underwood). USA Today highlighted the “High Roller” single remarking that, “The latest from this Nashville duo gives of just the kind of vintage rock ‘n’ soul vibe you want to hear when you feel like beating the house in Vegas.”

*Supporting Kacey Musgraves
UK
Thurs 12th November 2015 - The Academy, Dublin, IE (57 Middle Abbey Street)*
Sunday 15th November 2015 - O2 ABC, Glasgow (9300 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JA) *
Weds 18th November 2015 - Royal Albert Hall, London (Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP)

Europe
November 20 / Knust / Hamburg, Germany*
November 22 / Melkweg / Amsterdam, Netherlands*
US