Dianna Corcoran Releases Official Music Video for Single, “God Did Good”

(Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 28, 2015) – Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dianna  Corcoran has released a music video for her latest single, “God Did Good.” Produced by Gear Seven Productions Nashville and directed by Connor Carroll, the video is now available for viewing on Corcoran's YouTube channel, here, and the song is available for download on, UK iTunes , Amazon and other major digital retailers.

The self-produced track was written by Corcoran, Jeff Cohen and Kristian Bush, and is a country-rock love song about how ‘God did good’ creating the protagonist’s love interest.

Of the music video, Corcoran commented, “I love the story of ‘God Did Good.’ I had fun shooting the video and wanted something simple that would translate the story to the audience, along with genuine happiness.”

As a young adult, Dianna’s first interest in Country music came through yodelling. She is now a multi-format recording artist with over 400 music awards, including two multi-award winning albums and two Australian Country Music Golden Guitar Awards. Corcoran also has a passion for philanthropy and has worked with The Australian Defence Force, deploying three times to perform for troops serving in Afghanistan and Egypt. 

No stranger to hard work both in and out of the studio, Corcoran is noted for working three jobs in order to fund her first record. One of which was a gig in a car parts plant that trained the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Country cutie to become a vehicle mechanic who can not only change the oil, tires and batteries in a motor vehicle, but also fully rebuild car engines.

About Dianna Corcoran: Already a two-time Golden Guitar winner, (Australian Country Music Awards) including Female Artist of The Year, Dianna Corcoran is one of Australia’s finest country vocalists. Relocating to Nashville, Tenn. in 2011 after signing a publishing and recording deal in the U.S. with Krian Music Group / Universal Music Group, Dianna has worked extensively in the song writing community throughout Stockholm, London, Germany, Australia and the U.S.

With her “down to earth, country girl” approach to performance, two multi-award winning albums under her belt and over 400 awards throughout her career, Dianna released her fresh, upbeat, third album KEEP BREATHING to rave reviews . “Keep Breathing” was produced by two time Grammy Award winner Rebecca Lynn Howard & Elisha Hoffman.

Dianna returned in 2013 with LOVE & THERAPY, an album displaying the diverse talents of this unique artist.

With numerous No.1 hits and cuts to her name, including an upcoming Hollywood movie opening theme, this sublime singer, songwriter, producer and young musical entrepreneur took her career to a whole new level by self-producing her first ever American release, aptly titled IN AMERICA, which is set to release January 29, 2016. Most recently, Dianna released the first single off her new album titled “God Did Good” with songwriting credits including herself, Kristian Bush and Jeff Cohen.

Quotes:

“Blame Carolina” – “I think this one’s a great song...heard her voice and I thought WOW!” - Marie Crichton BBC Radio Shropshire

CONNECT with Dianna Concoran:

Kenny Rogers Drops Christmas Album & announces retirement from Touring

His Upcoming World Tour Will Be His Last

He's released his 9th holiday album Once Again It's Christmas.

NEW YORK, NY (September 25, 2015) – For the past 57 years, as sure as the sun would come up in the morning and set in the evening, there was one thing you could count on — Kenny Rogers would soon be coming to a venue near you to perform.

However, that time is now drawing to a close. Kenny Rogers announced on NBC’s The Today Show that his next world tour commencing in 2016 will be his last.

Two years ago, Kenny Rogers announced that his then current tour of Europe would most likely be his last overseas trek. He said at the time 'There is a fine line between being driven and being selfish ' I have crossed that line a few times ' and I don't want to do that to my boys.'

Those twin boys are now eleven and Rogers is 77 and, according to the NBC interview, he's ready to hang up his touring shoes for good.

Before he's done, though, he plans on doing one more world tour in 2016 although dates won't be announced until a later date. Rogers said 'It's happily sad or sadly happy. I'm going to do a big worldwide tour, and it's going to be my last. I'm going to say goodbye at that point; I've done this long enough.'

Singer Kenny Rogers is coming out with a remarkable 76th album, a collection of Christmas songs. He told TODAY's Carson Daly and Savannah Guthrie about it, and revealed that he plans to go into retirement with a bang: a worldwide farewell tour whose final stop will be TODAY! Watch the video here:

Direct Link

Today also marks the release his first new Christmas album in seventeen years titled: ONCE AGAIN IT’S CHRISTMAS (Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville). The festive set is Rogers’ first Christmas release since 1998 and his sixth Christmas release overall.

For more information: http://kennyrogers.rtouring.com/

The festive set will be Rogers’ first Christmas release since 1998’s CHRISTMAS FROM THE HEART and his sixth Christmas release overall. Several special guest stars join Rogers on Once Again It’s Christmas, including Alison Krauss (“Some Children See Him”), Jennifer Nettles (“Here It Is Christmas/Baby, It’s Cold Outside”), Home Free (collaborates with Rogers on “Children, Go Where I Send Thee”), Jim Brickman (guests on “That Silent Night”), and Winfield’s Locket (sings with Rogers on “There’s A New Kid In Town”).

Rogers also co-wrote a powerful song called “The Light” with long-time bandmate Steve Glassmeyer and former bandmate, Warren Hartman. The song concludes the album. The new project was produced by Kyle Lehning and Hartman, who were joined by Darren Rust as co-producer for the song, “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” Steve Sundholm and Jim Brickman produced “That Silent Night.”

The Once Again It’s Christmas album cover art, is a photo taken by Rogers that he entitled “Red Tree.” He captured the wintry scene while shooting in Yakima, Washington, in December 2003.

 Rogers received an Honorary Masters of Photography Degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA) in 2014 for his contributions to the world of photography.

Available for purchase:

11 Tracks/ Time: 40:54 Amazon UK: CD - MP3 | UK iTunes | Amazon.com 

Track Listing For Once Again It’s Christmas

1. Once Again It’s Christmas

2. There’s A New Kid In Town feat. Winfield’s Locket

3. Here It Is Christmas/Baby, It’s Cold Outside feat. Jennifer Nettles

4. Little Drummer Boy

5. Back To Bethlehem

6. Winter Wonderland

7. Some Children See Him feat. Alison Krauss

8. I’ll Be Home For Christmas

9. Children, Go Where I Send Thee feat. Home Free

10. That Silent Night feat. Jim Brickman

11. The Light

Test Drive it here, NOTE: Requires Spotify application to be installed and opened:

“I can’t tell you how much fun it was recording a Christmas record again,” Rogers said. “I’m excited for people to hear it. I feel like this is a special group of songs — both old and new — and I was particularly lucky to be joined by many talented guest artists and musicians who each have something unique to say.”

Since the release of his first ever Christmas album, Christmas, in 1981, Rogers has embarked on an annual Christmas & Hits Tour, which continues this winter for the thirty-fourth straight year. It’s a holiday that holds special meaning for Rogers.

Once Again It's Christmas Cover ART
CLICK to ENLARGE

“Christmas is my favorite time of year. It’s a very important season for me, especially now that I have twin boys who just turned 11 years old. It’s reminded me of how you see it through different eyes when you’re a parent. It’s wonderful,” Rogers said.

Rogers’ Once Again It’s Christmas Tour featuring Linda Davis will include performances of holiday favorites and his No. 1 hits through concerts across the U.S. and Canada.

As of Sept 1, 2015 the tour included 26 dates. Special * VIP packages were made available for the tour dates.  

Check out Kenny Rogers - Tour Dates for details

Nov. 11-14 – Niagara Falls, Ontario @ Niagara Fallsview Casino Avalon

Nov. 17 – Moncton, New Brunswick @ Casino New Brunswick*

Nov. 18 – Truro, Nova Scotia @ Rath Eastlink Centre*

Nov. 20 – Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador @ Pepsi Centre*

Nov. 21 – Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador @ Clarenville Events Centre*

Nov. 22 – St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador @ Mile One Centre*

Nov. 27 – Northfield, Ohio @ Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield*

Nov. 28 – Merrillville, Ind. @ Star Plaza Theatre*

Nov. 30 – Terre Haute, Ind. @ Hulman Center – Indiana State*

Dec. 2 – Norfolk, Neb. @ Divots Conference Center

Dec. 4 – Bowler, Wisc. @ North Star Mohican Casino Showroom*

Dec. 5 – Battle Creek, Mich. @ Firekeepers Casino – Event Center*

Dec. 6 – Windsor, Ontario @ The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor*

Dec. 8 – Ashland, Ky. @ Paramount Arts Center*

Dec. 10 – New Brunswick, N.J. @ State Theatre*

Dec. 11 – White Plains, N.Y. @ Westchester County Center*

Dec. 12 – Uncasville, Conn. @ Mohegan Sun Arena*

Dec. 13 – Bangor, Maine @ Cross Insurance Center*

Dec. 15 – Hagerstown, Md. @ Maryland Theater*

Dec. 16 – Roanoke, Va. @ Berglund Performing Arts Theatre*

Dec. 17 – Verona, N.Y. @ Turning Stone Resort & Casino – Event Center

Dec. 18 – King of Prussia, Pa. @ Valley Forge Casino Resort*

Dec. 19 – Englewood, N.J. @ Bergen Performing Arts Center

Dec. 20 – Concord, N.H. @ The Capitol Center For The Arts

Dec. 22 – Erie, Pa. @ Warner Theater*

Dec. 23 – Westbury, N.Y. @ NYCB Theatre at Westbury*

* INDICATES VIP PACKAGES AVAILABLE

About Kenny Rogers:

The past several years have been some of the most active and rewarding of Rogers’ entire career.

Event: Kenny Rogers officially inducted into
Country Music Hall of Fame Family Photo (27 Oct 2013)

• In 2013, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 47th Annual CMA Awards.
• To date, Rogers has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide.
• He has charted a record within each of the last seven decades.
• The first country artist to consistently sell out arenas, Rogers quickly became a pop superstar as well — his 28 Billboard Adult Contemporary Top 10's rank him fourth-best of all time among men, trailing only Elton John, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley.
• Rogers has recorded 12 No. 1 albums and 24 No. 1 hits and is the RIAA’s eighth best-selling male solo artist of all time.
• Awards: He has received three GRAMMY Awards, 11 People's Choice Awards, 19 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and six Country Music Association awards.
• Rogers has had a storied career in both rock and country. With his group the First Edition, he had five top twenty pop hits starting with the psychedelic Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) and followed with the more countrified Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town and But You Know I Love You.
• As a solo artist, he's been to the POP Top 20 fifteen times with classics like Lucille, The Gambler, Lady and Islands in the Stream with Dolly Parton.
• He's released 28 solo albums, three collaborations and nine holiday albums including the brand new Once Again It's Christmas.

11 Tracks/ Time: 40:54 Available on Amazon UK: CD - MP3 | UK iTunes | Amazon.com 

For more information:

Kenny Rogers Tour Dates - www.kennyrogers.com

George Strait: New Album Cold Beer Conversation + Vegas Dates

GEORGE STRAIT TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM:
 COLD BEER CONVERSATION FRIDAY, SEPT. 25

Updated Oct 2, 2015: December 2016 shows added, listen to George talk about the album name, songs from the album and sample songs.

Will perform exclusive worldwide concert engagements at new Las Vegas Arena

beginning April 22 – 23, 2016
 New single “Cold Beer Conversation” premieres on country radio Sept 23, 2015

 
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Sept. 22, 2015) – George Strait, the musical icon who has been reverently referred to as “The King of Country Music,” will release his new album COLD BEER CONVERSATION this Friday, Sept. 25, as announced at a press conference from MGM Grand in Las Vegas today.

The album was produced by Chuck Ainlay and Strait for George Strait Productions and features 13 songs including his latest single, “Cold Beer Conversation,” premiering at country radio tomorrow.

The album is available as an exclusive digital download on iTunes, available for pre-order now at US iTunes   and Walmart.com, (from Friday Sept 25). 

** Update ** The US Walmart Exclusive can now be purchased from the UK ordering through Smart Choice Music

The track listing for Cold Beer Conversation is as follows:
1.  “It Was Love” (Keith Gattis)
2.  “Cold Beer Conversation” (Al Anderson, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
3.  “Let It Go” (George Strait, Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis)
4.  “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” (Wyatt Earp and Keith Gattis)
5.  “Something Going Down” (Jamey Johnson and Tom Shapiro)
6.  “Take Me To Texas” (Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally)
7.  “It Takes All Kinds” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Bob Regan and Wil Nance)
8.  “Stop And Drink” (Dale Dodson and Troy Jones)
9.  “Everything I See” (George Strait, Bubba Strait, Dean Dillon and Keith Gattis)
10. “Rock Paper Scissors” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell and Bubba Strait)
11. “Wish You Well” (Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde and Brice Long)
12. “Cheaper Than A Shrink” (Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) # previously recorded by Joe Nichols
13. “Even When I Can’t Feel It” (Dean Dillon, Ben Hayslip and Lee Miller)

As can be seen Cold Beer Conversation includes an impressive list of songwriting contributors such as Jamey Johnson, Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Bill Anderson, Tom Shapiro and George’s son Bubba

This is the first new studio album in two years from the MCA Nashville recording artist. His last studio album was the Gold-certified Love is Everything, which featured the Platinum-certified No. 1 hit (and 60^th No. 1 hit of his career via the Country Aircheck chart via a fanbase started movement then artist campaign called "60 for 60" in order to “help” the song reach #1; it peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart) “Give It All We Got Tonight” as well as the Gold-certified hit “I Got A Car.” Strait also released The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium CD and DVD in 2014, celebrating his mega-successful, two-year final tour.

Listen to "Let It Go"

Strait co-wrote it with his son Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis. It was released April 20, 2015, as the lead-off single from his upcoming 28th studio album. It has a highest rank of #46 on Billboard Country Airplay and #29 on Hot Country Songs. Ukulele and steel drum pick away at the traditional fiddle and steel guitar arrangement of this beachy tune. It was Strait’s first release since he fully retired from the road.

Strait retired from touring in 2014 but it was never meant to convey his final performance, however.

Also announced in the Sept 22nd press conference, Strait will perform a series of exclusive worldwide concert engagements at the new Las Vegas Arena opening in April 2016. The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee will be among the first entertainers to perform at the new venue, with four shows beginning April 22 and additional dates slated for April 23, September 9 and September 10, 2016. Opening for Strait will be GRAMMY, ACM and CMA Award-winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves, who recently released her second studio album Pageant Material to critical acclaim.

George Strait Credit: Vanessa Gavalya

“I said all along I wasn’t going to tour anymore, but I also said that I wasn’t retiring by any means and I still wanted to do some dates,” Strait said during the press conference. “I’ve been working a little bit here and there, and I’m really proud of this new album that’s coming out. . . I think it’s a great record – I always say this; I think it’s one of the best records I’ve done. I always shoot for that. You’ve got to go in the studio thinking that way, so I’m very excited about that and I’m also very excited to be coming back out and playing for the fans out there. I’m looking forward to it so much, singing those songs that I love so much and haven’t done in a while. I’m really, really looking forward to being able to play in the new Las Vegas Arena. I hear it’s just unbelievable. I can’t wait.”

Tickets for the concert series will go on sale Friday, Oct. 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT via www.straittovegas.com and range in price from $75 to $200 plus applicable fees. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Friday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. PT through Thursday, Oct. 1 at 10 p.m. PT.

UPDATE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 29, 2015) – As soon as George Strait announced that he would be taking the stage for select dates at the Las Vegas Arena in 2016, fans started lighting up social media with their plans to see the “King of Country Music” perform in Sin City. Due to overwhelming demand for the four shows announced, Strait will be adding December 2 and 3, 2016 to the schedule.

Tickets for the 2016 concert series go on sale Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. PT via www.straittovegas.com and range in price from $75 to $200 plus applicable fees

With 60 No. 1 singles and more than 68.5 million records sold, George Strait is a musical legend and the most-nominated artist in CMA Awards history, with a career spanning more than three decades. He was the first country music artist honored with Billboard’s “Legend Of Live” Award, and he earned 2013’s Entertainer of the Year title from the Country Music Association as well as 2014’s Entertainer Of The Year title from the Academy of Country Music.

Just announced George Strait to be LIVE at the new Las Vegas Arena this April. http://t.co/jKMTdDoPPD for tix info. pic.twitter.com/SEtucty9Ov

— George Strait (@GeorgeStrait) September 22, 2015

To re-watch the press conference:
Starts at 29 min 30secs >> YOUTUBE

Hear how the album name came about from George!

In a MCA Nashville Radio Promotional Special Mr. George Strait talks about the new songs and hear tracks “Cold Beer Conversation”, “Goin’ Goin’ Gone” (Wyatt Earp and Keith Gattis) and “It Was Love” (writer Keith Gattis) Listen :

About Las Vegas Arena
Las Vegas Arena is a privately funded $375 million indoor arena set to open in Spring 2016.  The 20,000-seat venue, located west of the Las Vegas Strip between New York-New York and Monte Carlo, is expected to host more than 100 events annually, including UFC, boxing, hockey, basketball and other sporting events, major headline entertainment, awards shows, family shows and special events.  Las Vegas’ newest landmark will feature 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes, complete broadcast facilities, and other specially designed exclusive hospitality offerings and fan amenities destined to create a guest experience second to none.  The Arena has partnered with international iconic brands Coca-Cola, Schneider Electric and Toshiba American Business Solutions Inc., as the venue’s first “Founding Partners.” These Founding Partners will introduce and brand signature fan initiatives, displays and interactive spaces including Toshiba Plaza, an adjacent two-acre entertainment space which will feature a performance stage, a variety of video screens and other interactive content and display areas.  Industry-leading architect Populous designed the venue to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for LEED® Gold Certification. Las Vegas Arena is a joint venture between AEG and MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM).  For more information visit the Las Vegas Arena website at www.arenalasvegas.com.

Blackberry Smoke: New Video, EP and UK Tour Dates

Yahoo Music Debuts Video for Blackberry Smoke's "Rock and Roll Again"

Playboy TV and Conan feature Blackberry Smoke!

New EP 'Wood, Wire and Roses' & Deluxe Edition of 'Holding All The Roses' Now Available

*** UK Tour Dates in November ***

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 18, 2015)  The video for Blackberry Smoke’s latest single, “Rock and Roll Again,” from their critically-acclaimed fourth studio album Holding All the Roses premiered on Yahoo Music. Directed by Video Rahim and shot in their hometown of Atlanta, the inspiration for the retro narrative of the video came from conversations with the band about what they love about the city—the movies, the music scene (Atlanta musicians Biters, Gunpowder Gray, Vito Romeo and Midnight Larks make appearances) and all of their friends and family. Wanting the video to feel authentic, the band posted a casting call on their Facebook page asking fans to submit photos dressed in 70s attire. All of the extras in the video are fans, some of whom traveled from across the country to be a part of the experience. Showing the band’s connection to their fans gives the video an organic and genuine vibe. Blackberry Smoke scored their first No.1 album with “Holding All The Roses” whan it made a debut at the top of the Billboard Country Albums chart (dated Feb 28, 2015) with 19,049 units sold. It surpassed the No. 8 peak of their previous studio album, “The Whippoorwill,” in 2012. On the Official UK Country Album Chart “Holding All The Roses” made a debut at No.17 (5,704 sales; chart week Feb 21, 2015), then #58 (1,400 sales), then fell off the Top 100 chart in their  third week.     The band’s new EP WOOD, WIRE AND ROSES and the deluxe edition of Holding All The Roses are now available on UK iTunes &  US iTunes  Wood, Wire and Roses is a six-song EP that features the band performing a few selections from their latest album Holding All The Roses acoustically.  The band used some unique techniques as well as a little help from singer-songwriter Levi Lowrey to capture this visceral session of original material as well as their take on a Tom Waits classic “Old Shoes (& Picture Postcards).” Spotify: The band took a break from their cross-country tour with ZZ Top to perform their new single on Conan and appear on the Playboy Morning Show. You can watch the Conan performance - HERE Watch Blackberry Smoke on Playboy Morning Show - HERE Audio/ Picture video for “Rock and Roll Again” - HERE Blackberry Smoke: Vidcaps CLICK to ENLARGE "Fueled by Gibson guitars and boogie-woogie riffs, 'Rock and Roll Again' — the newest single from this year's Holding All the Roses — tips its cowboy hat to the good women behind all good men,” said Andrew Leahey, Rolling Stone. “It's swampy, smutty and thoroughly southern, with frontman Charlie Starr singing the praises of the lady who 'keeps me moving when I get to sittin' still.' Joined by the rest of his long-haired, cowboy-booted bandmates on the Conan stage, Starr looked less like the frontman of a chart-topping country group and more like a remnant from the glory days of southern rock, when Bible Belt rockers like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers ruled the roost." Blackberry Smoke are scheduled to play the following tour dates, presented by Ole Smoky Moonshine:   Blackberry Smoke On Tour **with ZZ Top 9.20 CAM-PLEX Heritage Center, Gillette, WY** 9.22 Bismarck Civic Center, Bismarck, ND** 9.23 The Swiftell Center, Brookings, SD** 9.25 Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater, Lancaster, NE 9.26 McGrath Amphitheater, Cedar Rapids, IA** 10.9 Lafayette Theatre, Lafayette, IN 10.10 Madison Theater, Covington, KY European Tour Sat Oct 17, 2015 - BUT Madrid, Madrid, Spain Sun Oct 18 - Sala Bikini, Barcelona, Spain Tues Oct 20 - Trabendo, Paris, France Thurs Oct 22 - Alcatraz, Milan, Italy Fri Oct 23 - Dynamo, Zurich, Switzerland Sat Oct 24 - Flex, Vienna, Austria Mon Oct 26 - C-Club, Berlin, Germany Thurs Oct 29 - Debaser Medis, Stockholm, Sweden Fri Oct 30, 2015 - Mejeriet, Lund, Sweden Sun Nov 1, 2015 Paradiso Grote Zaal, Amsterdam, Netherlands UK DATES Tues 3rd November 2015 - O2 Academy, Birmingham (16-18 Horsefair, Bristol Street, Birmingham, B1 1DB) Wed 4th November 2015 - O2 Academy Sheffield, Sheffield (37 – 43 Arundel Gate, Sheffield, S1 2PN) Thurs 5th November 2015 - O2 Academy, Newcastle (Westgate Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 1SW) Fri 6th November 2015 - Manchester Academy, Manchester (Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR) Sun 8th November 2015 - The Forum, London (9 - 17 Highgate RD, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1JY) Tickets available from Ticketmaster UK 11.14 Harvest Fest Music and Food Truck Festival 11.27 The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA Sun Dec.06 MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV 12.08 MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV (Feb 7-11, 2016) Outlaw Country Cruise, Miami, FL Blackberry Smoke - Tour Dates (September 1, 2015) Blackberry Smoke were chosen as the latest NRA Country Featured Artist. Holding All the Roses compellingly captures the energy, attitude, and honesty that have already helped to make Blackberry Smoke one of America's hottest live acts.  "We've got great memories from being on family hunting land in Mississippi or at a fishing cabin in Alabama.  It's important to us to remember our family's history and where we came from and pass that on to future generations.  We are Blackberry Smoke and we are NRA Country”. NOTE: The National Rifle Association (NRA) is a formidable opponent, however, when it comes to grass-roots organizing. It has more than 4 million members who feel passionately about gun rights. Nearly 90 percent of NRA members oppose the banning semi-automatic weapons. About Blackberry Smoke Holding All the Roses compellingly captures the energy, attitude, and honesty that have already helped to make Blackberry Smoke one of America's hottest live rock 'n' roll outfits, a truly grass-roots phenomenon with a large and fiercely loyal fan base. The 12-song set—produced by Grammy-winner Brendan O'Brien, whose previous production clients have included AC/DC, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young—showcases the Atlanta-based quintet's emotion-charged mix of bluesy rock, gospel soul, and country, with Charlie Starr's raspy twang matched by his and Paul Jackson's snarling guitars, Brandon Still's hauntingly expressive organ and piano, and the propulsive sibling rhythm section of Richard and Brit Turner. The songs' appeal is further elevated by the band's three-part vocal harmonies and elaborate arrangements that make judicious use of fiddle and added percussion. The depth displayed throughout Holding All the Roses demonstrates how Blackberry Smoke has evolved from rough-edged club act to arena-ready rock 'n' roll juggernaut as well as continues to steadily extend and expand the Southern rock tradition. Socials:  Website: http://www.blackberrysmoke.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackberrySmoke Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackberrysmoke

Lisa Wright - Before I Die (EP) Review

Lisa Wright - Before I Die (EP) Review

Country Routes News takes a look at Lisa Wright’s new EP and shines the spotlight on this lovely upcoming UK artist

Release Date: 17 Sept. 2015

Self-Release

4 Tracks/ Time: 14:24

Label: Lisa Wright

Rating: 3.5 STARS

1. Before I Die 2. Here We Go Again 3. Girl Like Me 4. You Grow but You Don't Change

BUY: AMAZON UK - UK iTunes - CD Baby - Amazon.com  

Track by Track

Before I Die: A soft ballad which is a wish to make most of every moment before it’s too late. Looking up at grey skies is a spur and prompt for Lisa to spread her wings with 24,000 miles to explore. The anxious and dreamy songwriter is keen to take in the wonders of the breath-taking Northern Lights, explore the rocks in California, visit Bali to chill and meditate and soak up sad country songs to help heal broken hearts and more forward. This was the last song she wrote before heading to Music City to turn the words into magical musical art.

Here We Go Again: A weeping steel, acoustic guitar and banjo underpin this outstanding beautiful and delicate heartbreaker which tells of the pain of letting go of a relationship, moving onto new love with hard lessons learned. She questions how things work out from a potentially good situation as love crumbles and the empty void she finds herself in emphasised by witnessing a former lover with a new partner. With words: It ain’t easy, seeing you tonight dancing slow and holding her tight/  Where were the words, right from the start/ To fight the old love right from my heart/ I'm letting go to another one/ Oh, I'm letting go and say goodbye to another potential love.

Published on May 14, 2015 YourAudiouk took a walk around the lovely Battersea Park one sunny spring evening with the talented singer

Girl Like Me: Is a well-crafted acoustic number with shuffling percussion. It sees the comforting narrator wearing a heart on her sleeve, trusting the good in others whilst catching the ones that fall apart, as smiles turn to hurtful eyes. This girl has to dig deep and struggle to find true love, letting go before being at ease with herself. There's no mountain she wouldn't climb to find that beautiful silver lining.

You Grow But You Don't Change: Anchoring the 4 song set, this observational song with soft piano, bright banjo and guitar pickin' harks back to school days, getting hitched to approaching retirement. Dreams are crushed, hearts are hardened and tough lessons learned but things remain the same on the journey of life as clocks tick, the sun shines and hearts beat on.

Sum Up: 

Although the 4 tracks are similar slow to mid paced affairs, the quality certainly wets the appetite on what may be on her country horizon. 

Whether she the ability to do fast up-tempo and belting numbers remains to be seen. With an engaging vocal the focus is on the songs sensitivity, the song craft is commendable and she has an ear for melody. 

Lisa is a very welcome addition to the talented Brit Country scene. 


If gentle tuneful acoustic flavoured styled country is your bag then this EP is well worth checking out.

Essential Download: Here We Go Again

Take the Lisa Wright Test drive!:

About Lisa Wright:

Genre: Country/Pop

Home Town: Essex

Short Description: Country singer-songwriter.

Long Description: Tempting the UK to country/pop music

Influences: Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Alison Krauss.

Lisa Wright, 23, is your not-so-typical Essex girl (from Harold Wood, a suburb in NE London)

A country enthusiast at heart, she began singing and song writing at an early age and dons Alison Krauss as her idol.

In 2012 she was given the thumbs up at the auditions of the Open Mic UK competition and performed at Towngate Theatre in Basildon in the live regional stages of the UK competition. She performed in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel for a place in the national final at the O2 arena in London.

The former Redden Court School pupil, was then in her second year studying drama at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA), and hoped the competition would be a launch pad for a career in singing – her preferred style is Country!

A musical vocation wasn't always a goal for Lisa – she never thought she could sing when she was younger. She shared "I had a singing teacher who was really good for me, she said I could do it. At university I've joined a band and perform in clubs and pubs in Liverpool. It's a great town to be a musician in."

Lisa has since graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, studying an Acting degree although it was there that music really started to develop.

Acting Profile: Spotlight Actresses 2014/2015

If she's not performing then you can probably find Lisa watching and swooning over Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.

After supporting Nashville artist, SaraBeth, on her UK tour, Lisa released her first single, Faith, which she was awarded 'Song of the Year 2014' by W21 Music and then follow up single "Home" 

She spent 6 weeks in Nashville and although she wished for longer, Lisa met some fantastic and funny people; saw incredibly inspiring musicians at work and recorded her EP that she is very proud of. MUST SEE >> Facebook Video

CONNECT with Lisa Wright:

The heavily anticipated debut EP from UK Country Singer, Lisa Wright - Taking what is great about country and mixing it with British charisma and character – W21 Music

Lisa has hooked up with the lovely Jeannine Barry this year to write songs.

You can see Lisa and Acoustic Journey support her:

When: Thursday 22nd October 2015

Where: Upstairs at The Garage (The Garage 20-22 Highbury Cres, London N5 1RD) 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm curfew Upstairs at The Garage FULL BAND + support from Acoustic Journey + Lisa Wright

UK Country singer Jeannine Barry is returning to The Garage with her brand new EP ‘Off The Hook’ which she recorded in Nashville earlier this year.

Get your tickets - Event Detail

Bandsintown Event Page - JeannineBarry