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.
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."
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.
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
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This is a Country Music News Blog which complimented the former Country Routes Magazine which was based in North and East of England.
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Brandy Clark’s “Hold My Hand” Receives Grammy Nomination
The Mavericks Make Magic Once Again With Two Grammy Nominations
THE MAVERICKS MAKE MAGIC ONCE AGAIN
WITH TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
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)
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
—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
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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.
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:
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:
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)
CD - MP3 - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
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:
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
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 Today, Rolling Stone, PASTE 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
Europe
November 20 / Knust / Hamburg, Germany*
November 22 / Melkweg / Amsterdam, Netherlands*
US
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*