Saturday, 4 November 2017

Country Bites News snippets October 23, 2017 – October 29, 2017

UK News, UK Chart News, Album Releases, Canadian News: Country News, Baby News, Press Releases | Links to Articles, Magazines, Videos, Country Fashion | Country Gossip & Birthdays


SOURCES / LINKS shown

For the latest Billboard Country Charts Blog Post go HERE

2017 UK Tour dates PLEASE check out our Tour Dates Page
New Gig & Tour Dates Added: 
(2 Nov 2017) Celtic Connections Festival 2018 (Jan-Feb 2018), Callaghan (April), Cara Dillon (Nov-Dec), Colter Wall (Feb), Emily Faye (Nov), Gretchen Peters (Nov), Hayseed Dixie (Jan-Feb), Kelly Oliver (Nov-Dec), Penny Jayne Black (Dec-June), The Americans (Nov), Sam Outlaw (Nov-Feb), The Willows (Nov-Feb), Two Ways Home (Nov-Dec), Wolverhampton Country Songwriters Night (Nov)

On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist for the week commencing Saturday 28th October 2017
A Playlist:
Roy Orbison & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Drove All Night (feat. Ward Thomas) added to the "A" Playlist
B Playlist:
Kelsea Ballerini - Legends
C Playlist:
First Aid Kit - It's A Shame

(25 Oct 2017) BCMA Awards 2017 Horizon Act of The Year nominee Penny Jayne Black posted on Facebook: Soooo Excited to announce I have just signed a Production deal with a Nashville based Record Label. I shall be flying to Nashville next week for co-write sessions, then returning in December to record tracks in the studio, then returning early Feb to launch my New U.S. Single at Nashville's annual Country Radio Seminar.-
Update Nov 2: Penny tweeted: Off to Nashville today for a week of co-writing sessions! Nashville hope you're ready for me :) #nashville

(27 Oct 2017) Ashton Lane's new single "Breathe You In" Debuts at Number 1 on the UK iTunes Country Chart.
Glasgow country duo Ashton Lane continue to make significant waves in the UK country scene having just independently entered the UK Country iTunes country chart at No1 with their brand new single Breathe You In released Oct 27th (iTunes). Additionally, it climbed and peaked at #59 on overall UK iTunes Singles chart. It slipped to #2 (#408) on Sat Oct 28 and on Sunday it was at #20 (#1341 all genres). As of Monday Oct 30 it had fallen to #50.
The song co-written by the duo - Esther & Tim O'Connor with James Duffin & Jacqueline Tessier was promoted on the August 2017 #224 promotional Hotdisc. It debuted at No.30 (chart dated Aug 6, 2017) and climbed and peaked for two weeks at No.6 (chart dated Sept 10,2017).
The new song tells of a longing to get out of our busy cities and lives, head for the hills and those wide open spaces where we can breathe a little deeper... In the words of lead singer Esther O'Connor: "I love living in Scotland. Tim and I are based in the heart of the city yet a short road trip north of Glasgow and we’re in the expanse of lochs, mountains, rivers and forest. Crunching along a pebble beach with the wind stinging my face reminds me I’m alive and it’s good to be!” 

Fresh from a summer of festivals, including playing the famous Isle of Wight festival and headlining the Sunday night at Millport Country Festival (with their full band) following on from the Shires the night before. The band are now gearing up for a 3-week tour of Germany and Austria where they’ve been gaining popularity on the live circuit. They are also set for another European tour and a run of UK shows in spring 2018.

(29 Oct 2017) Kevin McGuire performs 'Late' live on BBC Radio 2s Good Morning Sunday





















#SonnetSundays #radio #livemusic #countryboy
BCMA Awards 2017 Male Vocalist of The Year nominee and Glasgow based Kevin McGuire was invited by BBC Radio 2 producer Janet McLarty and award-winning broadcaster, journalist and author Clare Balding to talk about his music and play live on the religious/ethics programme Good Morning Sunday show
On Instagram he excitedly announced: Can't believe I'm able to say this but I am so, SO excited to announce I'll be performing live on @bbcradio2 THIS SUNDAY. I'll be playing my brand new single 'Late' on the Clare Balding breakfast show. Total dream come true. Yassssssss -

Clare described the young singer-songwriter as "Scotland's answer to COUNTRY Music" and after performed his song 'Late' - "What a fantastic sound, wasn't it a brilliant song, I loved it...wasn't Kevin McGuire great, what a lovely guy, he does sing from the heart". Listen back on the BBC iPlayer in the second hour BBC Page or listen to edited audio below:


Two hours after his appearance his 5 track EP Foreign Country re-entered the UK Country iTunes Album Top 200 chart at #4 (#322 UK iTunes Albums all genres) then slipped to #8 (#408) and #10 (#584). Celebmix.com shared the buzz. Later it fell to #25 (#1265 all genres)
See BLOG POST: Kevin McGuire’s “Foreign Country” EP drops April 7th:
McGuire is heavily influenced by the likes of US Country superstars Rascal Flatts, and US chart-toppers Sam Hunt and Kane Brown and we are able to draw comparisons in the Scot's real-life emotional storytelling.    

Jim Duncan 101.8 WCR FM Country Music show presenter, BCMA Awards panelist and Curator of the British Country Music Hall of Fame created the magic of the BCMA Awards 2017 in a 2 hour highlights show first broadcast on Thursday 26th October 2017 on The Station with MORE for Wolverhampton. Senior Broadcast Engineer at BBC WM 95.6FM Andy Walters was the genius who took every piece of channel from The Wulfrun Hall BCMA Awards show creating a multi-track recording made from the front of house mixer and mixed down later. 
In this edited audio listen to a recap of all the winners, award presentations for Horizon Act of the Year and Special services to the UK along with live performances by Journey Home, Jade Helliwell, Kevin McGuire, Sarah Darling, Jenn Bostic, Laura Oakes and Deanne Dexeter




(29 Oct 2017) W21 Artist and BCMA 2017 Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Katy Hurt released a new single & video "Cheap": Amazon UK - UK iTunes
She has also announced (>> Facebook Video ) an exciting November UK tour (Thurs 2 Nov: Prince Albert, Brighton - Sun 26 Nov: Gullivers, Manchester).
This format follows on from a highly successful and sold out Katy Hurt & Friends show in London at the Freedom Bar on 4th July. "She shares: "I'm taking the show on the road and bringing my friends with me this Novmeber". The gig on Nov 17th at St James Winebolt, Bath will be a charity event with profits going to The Alzheimers Society South West (Facebook | WEBSITE - South West) a cause very close to Katy and her immediate family. The tour will include, special merch, lots of surprises and a whole host of special guests (up to 19):
Sonia Leigh, The Healers, Liv Austen, Jake Morrell, Two Ways Home, Robbie Cavanagh, Journey Home, Shelly Fairchild, Elles Bailey, Luke Whittemore, Thorne Hill, Amy Westney, Melanie, Jade Helliwell, Ags Connolly, Anna Krantz, Lisa Wright, Southern Companion & Laura Oakes.
Full details and ways to buy tickets including her Christmas Show on the Country Routes Tour Dates page


Published on Oct 29, 2017 watch the official video for "Cheap" performed by Katy Hurt, Gab Zsapka, Ace & Steve Matthews.

Co-written and produced with guitarist Gab Zsapka, Cheap is a feel-good, rock and roll throwback track recorded live at the legendary Metropolis Studios in London.
Watch the >> video (5.9K views in 10 days)






UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 2 November 2017)
27 October 2017 - 2 November 2017
Streams and paid-for sales are down but there's no change in the overall status of Post Malone's Rockstar (feat. 21 Savage), which spent its fourth straight week at No.1 (49,738 sales, including 39,245 from sales-equivalent streams + pure sales 10,493), while Camela Cabello's Havana (feat. Young Thug) spent its third week at No.2 (43,927 sales).
With 2 weeks to go before the release of Taylor Swift's sixth studio album Reputation, which spawned back-to-back Top 10 hits Look What You Made Me Do (No.1) and ...Ready For It? (No.7). Instant-grat track Gorgeous could not match them but it still logged the week's highest new entry, debuting at No.15 (18,696 sales) to become Swift's 28th hit.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 2 November 2017)
27 October 2017 - 2 November 2017
Ten months after his untimely demise at the age of 53, and 27 years after it first topped the chart, George Michael's second solo album, LISTEN WITHOUT PREJUDICE VOLUME 1, returned to No.1 on sales of 56,088 copies, including 1,494 from sales-equivalent streams.
Last in the Top 75 in 1991, little more than a year after its initial release, Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1 was Michael's second solo album, and spent just one week at the summit, spawning five Top 40 singles, though only the first - Praying For Time (No.6) - made the Top 20.
Released 11 days after Channel 4's initial screening of the new documentary George Michael: Freedom - which brought it back onto the chart at No.123 last week - there are new versions of Listen Without Prejudice Volume 1.
The third of the five original members of One Direction to release a solo album, Niall Horan is the first not to reach No.1. Home to the back-to-back Top 10 hits This Town and Slow Hands and current single Too Much To Ask - which debuted and peaked five weeks ago at No.24 and bounced 36-27 (12,152 sales) in the latest frame, FLICKER opened at No.3 (22,703 sales).

In her fourth frame former No.1 Shania Twain with NOW fell 22-40 (2,400 estimated sales; down 27%; 4-week total 31,500)
Glen Campbell with ADIOS fell off the top 100 in its 20th week from #97 (800 sales estimated; 20-week estimated total 110,200)
Overall album sales were up to 1,729,225 (Streaming accounted for 832,052 sales; 48.1% of the total)

Official UK Country Album Top 20 (Week Ending 2 November 2017)
27 October 2017 - 2 November 2017

Glen Campbell with ADIOS held at #1 (20 weeks; #1 peak)
White Buffalo with DARKEST DARKS LIGHTEST LIGHTS held at #2 (2 weeks; #2 peak)
Lucinda Williams with THIS SWEET OLD WORLD made a debut at #3
Darius Rucker with WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME made a debut at #4
Dolly Parton with I BELIEVE IN YOU fell 4-5 (2 weeks; #4 peak)
Chris Young with LOSING SLEEP made a debut at #6
Lady Antebellum with HEART BREAK fell 3-7 (20 weeks; #2 peak)
Chris Hillman with BIDIN' MY TIME fell 6-8 (4 weeks; #3 peak)
Margo Price with ALL AMERICAN MADE made a debut at #9
Lisa McHugh with WHO I AM fell 7-10 (3 weeks; #7 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Willie Nelson with WILLIE AND THE BOYS - WILLIE'S STASH - 2 made a debut at #11
Alison Krauss with WINDY CITY fell 8-12 (32 weeks; #1 peak)
Brett Young with BRETT YOUNG fell 5-13 (22 weeks; #4 peak)
Midland with ON THE ROCKS fell 9-16 (5 weeks; #8 peak)
Turnpike Troubadours with A LONG WAY FROM YOUR HEART made a debut at #19

Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 2 November 2017)
27 October 2017 - 2 November 2017

This Week/ Last Week/ Title/ Artist
1 1 Carry Fire Robert Plant #9 Official Album Chart
2 2 Lotta Sea Lice Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile #68 Official Album Chart
3 4 Roll With The Punches Van Morrison [Tagged Blues] #100 Official Album Chart
4 NEW This Sweet Old World Lucinda Williams [Tagged Singer/Songwriter Alt/Folk]
5 6 Adios Glen Campbell [Tagged Country] # Official Album Chart
6 7 A Deeper Understanding War On Drugs [Tagged Alt]
7 3 Exile & Grace King King #31 Official Album Chart
8 8 Hitchhiker Neil Young [Tagged Rock]
9 NEW All American Made Margo Price [Tagged Country]
10 16 Out Of All This Blue Waterboys [Tagged Rock]
Outside The Top 10
11 10 A/B Kaleo [Tagged Alt]
12 NEW Willie And The Boys - Willie's Stash - 2 Willie Nelson [Tagged Country]
13 5 Darkest Darks Lightest Lights White Buffalo [Tagged Rock]
18 NEW A Long Way From Your Heart Turnpike Troubadours [Tagged Country]
25 NEW My Name Is Bear Nahko [Tagged Singer/Songwriter Alt/Folk]
30 9 Queens Of The Breakers Barr Brothers [Tagged Alt]

UK Country iTunes Chart October 29, 2017 09:00 
Songs
1. John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (#403 overall UK Singles chart)
2. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands In The Stream (#445 overall UK Singles chart)
3. Johnny Cash - Hurt (#454 overall UK Singles chart)
4. Dolly Parton - Jolene (#486 overall UK Singles chart)
5. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#495 overall UK Singles chart)
6. Luke Combs - When It Rains It Pours (#581 overall UK Singles chart)
7. Cam - Diane (#585 overall UK Singles chart)
8. Shania - Man! I Feel Like A Woman! (#632 overall UK Singles chart)
9. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (#673 overall UK Singles chart)
10. Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey (#837 overall UK Singles chart)
Of Note
11. Ashton Lane - Breathe You In (Radio Edit) (#869 overall UK Singles chart)
Fri 27 Oct 2017 Debuts:
SaraBeth - Something About It - Single #5 then #8 UK Country iTunes (#644 overall UK Singles chart)

UK Country iTunes Chart October 29, 2017 09:00
Albums
1. Shania Twain - Now (Deluxe) (#151 overall UK Albums chart)
2. Chris Young - Losing Sleep (#231 overall UK Albums chart)
3. Various Artists - The Country Album (#265 overall UK Albums chart)
4. Various Artists - Country - 101 All Time Greats (#319 overall UK Albums chart)
5. Darius Rucker - When Was the Last Time (#348 overall UK Albums chart)
6. Shania Twain - Greatest Hits (#451 overall UK Albums chart)
7. Luke Combs - This One's For You (#470 overall UK Albums chart)
8. Chris Stapleton - Traveller (#618 overall UK Albums chart)
9. Taylor Swift - Red Deluxe (#782 overall UK Albums chart)
10. Lady Antebellum - Heart Break (#891 overall UK Albums chart)
Of Note:
21. Margo Price - All American Made (#1181 overall UK Albums chart)
28. Lee Ann Womack - The Lonely, The Lonesome & the Gone (#1267 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut Fri 27 Oct: #1 UK Country iTunes (#188 overall UK Albums chart)
30. Kenny Chesney - Live in No Shoes Nation (#1314 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut Fri 27 Oct: #9 UK Country iTunes (#363 overall UK Albums chart)
On Sun (Oct 29) at 10:00 Kevin McGuire with Foreign Country re-entered the top 200 at #4 (#322 all genres) after his appearance on BBC Radio 2. It then fell to #8 (#408) and then #10 (#584)          
Fri 27 Oct 2017 Debuts:
April Jai - The Last Goodbye - EP #4 then #3 UK Country iTunes (#211 overall UK Albums chart), #2 peak
Granger Smith - When the Good Guys Win #22 UK Country iTunes (#948 overall UK Albums chart)
Scooter Lee - Don't Mind If I Do | Debut Fri 27 Oct: #45 UK Country iTunes

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(27 Oct 2017) Kenny Chesney - Live in No Shoes Nation (Blue Chair Records/ Columbia Nashville)
29 Tracks/ Time: 2:18:55 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #9 UK Country iTunes (#363 overall UK Albums chart) | Sat Oct 28: #24 (#926 overall) | Mon Oct 30: #19 (#1236 overall)
Chesney’s live album captures 29 performances from the last decade, featuring guests Eric Church (“When I See This Bar”), Taylor Swift (“Big Star”), Grace Potter (“You And Tequila”), Mac McAnally (“Down The Road” and Dave Matthews (“The Joker/Three Little Birds”).

(27 Oct 2017) Granger Smith - When The Good Guys Win (Wheelhouse Records)
14 Tracks/ Time: 48:37 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #22 UK Country iTunes (#948 overall UK Albums chart) | Sat Oct 28: #13 (#691) | Sun Oct 29: #31
Featuring lead single “It Happens Like That,” (currently #29 at Billboard Country Airplay and #27 at Mediabase) most of Smith’s second album was born on the road, with a mobile studio set up in the back of his bus for writing, editing and recording. Smith produced the 14-track project with Frank Rogers and Derek Wells and it includes a mystery tune by his alter ego, Earl Dibbles, Jr.

(27 Oct 2017) Lee Ann Womack - The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone (ATO Records)
14 Tracks/ Time: 53:37 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #1 UK Country iTunes (#188 overall UK Albums chart), then #3 (#242 overall UK Albums chart) | Sat Oct 28: #10 (#546) | Mon Oct 30: fell of the top 200

(27 Oct 2017) April Jai - The Last Goodbye (Ballantyne Records) UK
5 Tracks/ Time: 17:36 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #4 then #3 UK Country iTunes (#211 overall UK Albums chart), #2 peak, #6 (#315) | Sat Oct 28: #34 (#1306) | Sun Oct 29: Off the top 200
April Jai (Facebook) is London’s new up and coming artist. Blending her love of Pop and Country music she has developed a voice of her own, drawing influence from artists such as Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves and The Civil Wars. Performing from a very young age, April Jai has attracted listeners from around the world through her interpretation of others’ music and her talent for song writing.
The record opens with ‘Circle Back’. The song has a real interesting opening which grabs your attention straight away, immediately followed by a pleasant surprise when April’s vocals come in – she seems to sing with an ease which is just perfect for country music, expressing great emotion with an appealing gentleness and almost breathlessness.......Read More Bellesandgals.com

(27 Oct 2017) Craig Wayne Boyd - Top Shelf (Copperline Music Group)
13 Tracks/ Time: 39:36 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Boyd’s latest album includes current single
“Stuck In My Head,” plus “We Sweat,” “Only In My Mind,” and “Better Together,” which Boyd co-wrote
Millions were thrilled by Craig Wayne Boyd’s victory in Season 7 of NBC’s “The Voice,”. Boyd, who announced to People Magazine that his wife Taylor and him are expecting a new baby, said that although it will be a crazy next few months, he is thrilled to be releasing his first full-length album since winning “The Voice.”

(27 Oct 2017) Scooter Lee - Don't Mind If I Do (Super Line, Inc / Universal)
15 Tracks/ Time: 45:55 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #45 UK Country iTunes

(27 Oct 2017) Canaan Cox - Canaan Cox (EP; Break The Cycle Entertainment)
4 Tracks/ Time: 14:22 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(27 Oct 2017) Hannah Ellis - Hannah Ellis (EP; 2017 Hannah Ellis)
5 Tracks/ Time: 16:05 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

(27 Oct 2017) Kris Kristofferson - The Life & Songs Of Kris Kristofferson (Blackbird Presents Records) CD/DVD
21 Tracks/ Time: 1:22:03 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
The broadcast, concert film and music release features a collection of legendary singers, songwriters, and rising superstars who came together for a once-in-a-lifetime concert event taping in Nashville, Tennessee at the Bridgestone Arena to celebrate the songs of music icon Kris Kristofferson. CMT premiered the 90-minute broadcast on Friday, October 27 at 10 PM ET/PT, and Blackbird Presents Records will release the full-length concert film as a CD/DVD combo at http://blackbirdpresents.com and Pledge Music
Official Theatrical Trailer >> HERE


(27 Oct 2017) The Wailin' Jennys - Fifteen (Red House Records)
9 Tracks/ Time: 34:24 Singer/Songwriter Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
It's been a minute -- six years, actually -- since we've heard from The Wailin' Jennys on record. But the wait ends with the Oct. 27 release of Fifteen, a covers album that also commemorates the Canadian trio's 15th anniversary and features a version of Tom Petty's "Wildflowers"
"A covers album is something our fans have been asking for for a really long time," the group's Nicky Mehta told Billboard. With all three members now mothers -- Mehta had twins just prior to 2011's Bright Morning Stars while Ruth Moody and Heather Masse each had their first children subsequently -- doing a new set of original material was "tricky trying to find a big chunk of time to work on songs and then get in the studio." Doing the nine covers, however, was much more expedient.

(27 Oct 2017) Balsam Range - It's Christmas Time (Mountain Home Music Company) CHRIS
6 Tracks/ Time: 17:34 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com

World-renowned Bluegrass quintet BALSAM RANGE makes magic with their newest EP, IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME.  The six-track outing spreads seasonal joy with a mix of contemporary and traditional tunes and features the beloved band in an unusual pairing with the Nashville Recording Orchestra. Fans can listen to a live stream on Bluegrass Today
For those who might consider the joining of Bluegrass and orchestral music an odd mix - you are not alone.  Respected tastemaker David Allan of Britain's Country Music People magazine noted, "I thought I would hate it - the very idea of Bluegrass and strings, not to mention a sax, BUT it works ... creating a rich, sentimental and wonderful, magical Christmassy feeling ... definitely a winner."
This is the band's first Christmas release.  "We loved the idea, and we were intrigued by the musical possibilities that this project would open up to us," Balsam Range spokesman Tim Surrett reflects.   "We had to take a bit of a different approach to make it work, but I think the result was worth the effort."
To celebrate the EP's release, Balsam Range will host the Atlanta Pops Orchestra (Website) to perform these holiday tunes during the closing show of the group's second annual Balsam Range Art of Music Festival at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina (December 1 and 2) /

(27 Oct 2017) Various - The Star: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack  (Epic)
12 Tracks/ Time: 44:26 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
 In anticipation of the worldwide release of Sony Pictures Animation’s animated motion picture The Star, in theaters November 17, 2017, Epic Records and  Sony Pictures Animation  will release  The  Star: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack  in stores and online October 27, 2017.
The soundtrack assembles new music from a bevy of powerhouse superstars befitting of the cast’s blockbuster pedigree. Leading the tracklisting, Mariah Carey performs the film’s theme song “The Star.”
 The first track for instant grat is “Life is Good” by A Great Big World followed on October 17th, Fifth Harmony will release “Can You See”.
In addition, Kirk Franklin, Kelsea Ballerini, Zara Larsson, Jessie James Decker covers “Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song)” and more serve up new tracks recorded specifically for The Star. Each artist got into the spirit with show-stopping and standout performances.

(27 Oct 2017) Ashton Lane - Breathe You In (Radio Edit; Single) UK
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #1 UK Country iTunes (#93 & #59 peak overall UK Singles chart) | Sat Oct 28: #2 (#408)

(27 Oct 2017) SaraBeth - Something About It (Single; Circle S Records)
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #5 then #8 UK Country iTunes (#644 overall UK Singles chart), then #7 (#604) | Sat Oct 28: #36


(27 Oct 2017) Cam - Diane (Single)
Debut Fri 27 Oct: #13 UK Country iTunes (#992 overall UK Singles chart) | Sat Oct 28: #12 (#875) | Mon Oct 30: #12 (#1043)

(27 Oct 2017) Laura Oakes - Glitter (Acoustic; Single) UK
Amazon UK - UK iTunes Debut Fri 27 Oct: #160 UK Country iTunes

(30 Oct 2017) Katy Hurt - Cheap (Single; 2017 Katy Hurt, distributed by Spinnup) UK
1 Track/ Time: 3:10 Amazon UK - UK iTunes

BLUEGRASS NEWS
(30 Oct 2017) Dale Ann Bradley set to enter Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
On May 11th of 2018, Dale Ann Bradley will inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame for the class of 2018, along with Billy Ray Cyrus, veteran pop singer Jackie DeShannnon,
Dale Ann racked up two International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) nominations, one for Female Vocalist of the Year. Her second nomination was for the group she is a part of, Sister Sadie: they were up for IBMA New Artist of the Year 2017. Previously, she has received Five Female Vocalist awards from IBMA and two from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music (SPGMA), as well as numerous other awards as part of different configurations of compilation albums. AND POCKET FULL OF KEYS, her last album, earned her a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year.

CANADIAN NEWS
(23 Oct 2017) Jackie Guy "Lonesome From You"

A songwriting collaboration between Guy, Rich McFarlane and Richard Vande Sompel, "Lonesome From You" is a relatable ballad about love, loneliness and disillusionment.
A five-time Saskatchewan Country Music Association award nominee, Guy has been performing and writing country music since her teens. Career highlights include: sold-out performances throughout Saskatchewan casinos, a Master of Ceremonies gig for Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis' Grits 'n' Glamour tour, appearing as the supporting act for Sawyer Brown, and teaming up with Nashville producer Dean Miller to re-record and film a music video for "Bridges". With new material in the works for an upcoming EP, Jackie looks forward to recording a collaborative effort with Mosaic Music's Rich McFarlane and Nashville-based producer Larry Beaird. Guy debuted more of her new material at shows this summer at Rock Creek, Country at the Creek in Big River, and her annual Provincial Park Tour at Good Spirit Lake, Duck Mountain and Greenwater Lake. She continues to write and record and plans to release the new EP in early 2018.

(26 Oct 2017) A Twin Kennedy Christmas set for release November 10th
It's beginning to look a lot like A Twin Kennedy Christmas, with the announcement of three-time CCMA Award nominee Twin Kennedy 's upcoming Christmas album, set for release November 10. Known for their flawless sibling harmonies and beautiful instrumentals, fans can pre-order the album (UK iTunes) and receive an advance download of the lead single 'Cold Weather' and their cover of the holiday classic 'It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.'


Destined to be a Christmas-time staple in households across the country, A Twin Kennedy Christmas was recorded in Nashville, TN with some of Music City's best. Twin Kennedy rounded up an all-star team for the record including the rhythm section of Grammy award-winning group The Time Jumpers. The duo co-produced the record with Nashville's Dustin Olyan and wrote with some of Canada and Nashville's finest such as Joe Doyle, Brian Donkers and Steve Rivers.
 The upcoming album mixes both holiday classics and Twin Kennedy originals including the debut single 'Cold Weather,' which will be available on Canadian country radio just in time for the Christmas season.
 "Christmas is our favourite time of year! It has always been a dream of ours to record a Christmas album," says the duo. "We are so excited to share this new collection of both original holiday songs and our own arrangements of many holiday classics we love. We hope to become a part of our fans' Christmas celebrations every year with A Twin Kennedy Christmas!"
Twin Kennedy has toured extensively throughout Canada and the US since the release of their debut album It's a Love Thing, produced by fellow Canadian country artist George Canyon. Known for their uplifting and energetic live show, the duo is hitting the road once again for theirA Twin Kennedy Christmas Tour. With performances through the US before heading to their home province of British Columbia, the 2017 tour is one that fans will not want to miss.

(27 Oct 2017) Vanessa Marie Carter - "Bless My Heart"

Fueled by her inherited love of performing and country music, Universal Music Canada's newest domestic signing country singer Vanessa Marie Carter is a force to be reckoned with. 
No stranger to the music world, Vanessa got her start in musical theatre at a young age and was previously contracted to an independent record label in 2012. The past few years have seen Vanessa's music career on an upward trajectory going from performing in her hometown of Oakville's Moonshine Café, to opening up for Chase Rice in front of 40,000 of Canada's biggest country music fans and making her major label debut with the country's largest music company, Universal Music Canada.
 Vanessa has seen a number of stages opening for fellow country stars The Band Perry, Chase Rice, Brett Kissel, and Kira Isabella. In 2016 Vanessa won the Sirius XM Emerging Artist Showcase at Canada's largest country music festival, Boots and Hearts. From a field of over 270 applicants, Vanessa came first in fan voting and then won the live singing showcase competition and a single release with Universal Music Canada.
Currently, Vanessa splits her time between her hometown of Oakville, Ontario and her new home in Nashville, Tennesee. Developing a large network of some of the top writers and producers in Nashville, there is no question that she is a star on the rise. Stay tuned for more music from Vanessa Marie Carter.

NEWS
(23 Oct 2017) Meghan Linsey Signs With Agency33
Country singer and former NBC-TV's "The Voice" contestant Meghan Linsey has inked a deal with AGENCY33 PUBLIC RELATIONS for representation. Her new album, BOLD LIKE A LION (Tagged POP/ Country; Bold Music Group) is set to release on Fri, November 3rd.


"I am so honored to welcome MEGHAN to the agency,” shared AGENCY33 Owner Joey Amato. "She and I connect not only musically, but on many social issues as well. It’s so great to work with an artist who fights for what she believes in and speaks out for those who may not have the ability to do so." Linsey added, "I am so excited to work with JOEY and AGENCY33. I have watched Joey work his way up in the industry and have always been impressed with his amazing work ethic. I feel like we are a perfect match in so many ways!"


(23 Oct 2017) Nashville To Host Music Biz Conference Through At Least 2020
The Music Business Association (MUSIC BIZ) conference is set to remain in Nashville through 2020, with the previously-announced MUSIC BIZ 2018 taking place at the OMNI Hotel in Nashville from Monday, May 14th through Thursday, May 17th, 2018. The 2019 and 2020 conferences will then shift to NASHVILLE's JW Marriott hotel, which is currently under construction and set for a JULY 2018 opening.
The MUSIC BIZ conference has grown steadily over the three years we have hosted it in NASHVILLE, topping 2,000 attendees last year for the first time since 2001," said MUSIC BIZ Pres. James Donio. "The music business sensibility of NASHVILLE and its MUSIC CITY MUSIC COUNCIL aligns so well with our efforts on behalf of music services, stores, labels, artists, songwriters, managers, publishers, entrepreneurs, startups, educators, students, and everyone else in or looking to break into the industry. We're thrilled to make it our flagship conference's home base for at least three years, and look forward to exposing more music companies to Nashville and the many opportunities it provides."

(25 Oct 2017) Congratulations To Cody Alan
Congratulations to Premiere Networks nationally syndicated "CMT After Midnite With Cody Alan" and "CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan" host Cody Alan, who proposed to boyfriend Trea Smith in September while on vacation at Sandals Resort in Jamaica. ALAN finally shared the news with fans via INSTAGRAM Weds (Oct 25). "Thrilled to let you in on our news!" said Alan. ALAN shared the news with PEOPLE magazine, saying, "Everyone wants to find true love and make it last. We've always been intensely loyal to each other, and to now fully commit ourselves to a lifetime relationship is the greatest. Trea is amazing, and I'm looking forward to our new adventures."

(26 Oct 2017) The More The Merrier: Gwendolyn's Trisha Yearwood is again collaborating with Williams Sonoma for Christmas In A Cup, a mixer made of ruby red pomegranate and cranberry juices blended with tangerine and lime. Watch her Facebook reveal here; see the rest of her food and drink line here.

(29 Oct 2017) For the second time in less than a month, gunshots disrupted the party at a Jason Aldean concert. Those inside the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Miss. were kept inside while police investigated a shooting that left one man hospitalized. The victim remains unidentified, but WTVA-TV in Tupelo reports that he was released from a medical center on Saturday morning. The alleged gunman is 22-year-old Steven Michael Hulbert of Walls, Miss. He’s charged with aggravated assault. The Associated Press added that the gunfire started at about 11:13PM on Friday night. Witnesses say the shooting started after an argument broke out among a small group of men. Hulbert is said to have pulled out a pistol and fired four to six shots, striking the victim and several vehicles in the arena parking lot.

AWARDS
(23 Oct 2017) The Country Music Hall Of Fame (CMHOF) formally welcomed three new members yesterday (10/22), as Alan Jackson, Don Schlitz, and the late Jerry Reed were officially inducted during the annual MEDALLION CEREMONY held at the HALL OF FAME in NASHVILLE. A highlight of the event was the appearance of Loretta Lynn, herself a CMHOF member since 1988. It was LYNN's first public appearance in Nashville since suffering a stroke earlier this year (NET NEWS 5/8). She was there at JACKSON's request, as veteran members of the HALL officially welcome new inductees.
"This is the first time I've been out of the house and you're the only thing that would have brought me out." So said Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn
Before LYNN took the stage to recall her first meeting with JACKSON, LEE ANN WOMACK, ALISON KRAUSS, and GEORGE STRAIT paid musical tribute to him. BOBBY BARE inducted REED, following a who's-who of musicians paying homage to the late guitar virtuoso -- a list that included STEVE WARINER, TOMMY EMMANUEL, JOHN KNOWELS, RAY STEVENS, and JAMEY JOHNSON, who played REED's signature hit, "East Bound And Down."


(23 Oct 2017) Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame's 47th Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala inducted Walt Aldridge, Dewayne Blackwell, Jim McBride, Tim Nichols and the late Vern Gosdin (see photo below). Additionally, the Nashville Songwriters Association International presented its annual awards during the event. Keith Urban's "Blue Ain't Your Color" (written by Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey and Steven Lee Olsen) was named Song of the Year. Lindsey tied a record held for 44 years by Kris Kristofferson as a three-time NSAI Song of the Year winner.
























Ashley Gorley (Dierks Bentley's "Black," Thomas Rhett's "T-Shirt") was named Songwriter of the Year for the third time.
Luke Bryan was named Songwriter-Artist of the Year, his first NSAI award.
NSAI also presented the 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written awards to: Maren Morris' "'80s Mercedes" (Busbee, Morris); Little Big Town's "Better Man" (Taylor Swift); Sam Hunt's "Body Like A Back Road" (Josh Osborne, Hunt, Shane McAnally, Zach Crowell); Dierks Bentley and Elle King's "Different For Girls" (JT Harding, Shane McAnally), Jon Pardi's "Dirt On My Boots" (Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure, Rhett Akins); Midland's "Drinkin' Problem" (Cameron Duddy, Jess Carson, Josh Osborne, Mark Wystrach, Shane McAnally), Florida Georgia Line's "H.O.L.Y." (Busbee, Nate Cyphert, William Larsen) Eric Church and Rhiannon Giddens' "Kill A Word" (Church, Jeff Hyde, Luke Dick); Kelsea Ballerini's "Peter Pan" (Forest Glen Whitehead, Jesse Lee, Ballerini); and Miranda Lambert's "Vice" (Josh Osborne, Lambert, Shane McAnally).

(24 Oct 2017) CMA Announces Four Collaborative Musical Performances For "The 51st Annual CMA Awards" Airing Wednesday, Nov. 8 On The ABC Television Network
Known for one-of-a-kind musical collaborations, CMA announces four pairings for "The 51st Annual CMA Awards", all of which will grace the stage live from Bridgestone Arena, Wednesday, Nov. 8 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood co-host for the 10th consecutive year.
Performances include Kelsea Ballerini & Reba McEntire; Dierks Bentley & Rascal Flatts; Maren Morris & Niall Horan; and Brad Paisley & Kane Brown.
Ballerini, a five-time CMA Awards nominee, and Reba, a six-time winner and astounding 50-time nominee and most-nominated female in CMA Awards history, will both vie for Female Vocalist of the Year. Reba has previously won the category four years in a row (1984-87).
Three-time CMA Awards winner Bentley joins seven-time winners Rascal Flatts, who are nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. Bentley is amongst the Male Vocalist of the Year nominees.
Reigning New Artist of the Year Morris joins pop star Horan for a cross-genre celebration. Morris is an eight-time CMA Awards nominee.
Paisley will pause from his co-hosting duties to share his latest effort "Heaven South" with newcomer Brown. Paisley is a 14-time CMA Awards winner. Winners of "The 51st Annual CMA Awards" are determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting CMA members. The third and final ballot closed Wednesday, Oct. 25 (6:00 PM/CT). Ballots are tabulated by the professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP. 

TV
(23 Oct 2017) Mercury's Shania Twain appeared on ABC-TV's Dancing with the Stars Mon night (10/23). Watch >> "Soldier"

(23 Oct 2017) Mercury's Tyminski appeared on CBS-TV's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Monday night (Oct 23). Watch "Southern Gothic" here.

(24 Oct 2017) Capitol's Darius Rucker appeared on NBC-TV's Today Tuesday morning (Oct 24). Watch "For The First Time" >> here

MUSIC NEWS
(30 Oct 2017) Simon Cowell has vowed to pay more attention to his health after fainting and falling down some stairs due to low blood pressure on Friday (27 Oct).
The music mogul was forced to miss both nights of British TV talent show The X Factor over the weekend after he suffered from concussion from his fall at his London home on Friday morning. He has now spoken to The Sun newspaper about the incident, and admitted the health scare has forced him to rethink his lifestyle for the sake of his three-year-old son Eric, who he shares with girlfriend Lauren Silverman. "Sometimes we get a reminder that we're not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock," Simon said. "They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out... After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever."
The 58-year-old recalled going downstairs to get some hot milk because he wasn't feeling well and he became dizzy on the way back up.
"Next thing I know someone was putting a neck brace on me and I had a terrible headache, which must have been from me hitting the stairs. I was worried at first that I'd done some real damage," he added. "But I'm on the mend now. I know I was very lucky I didn't hurt myself seriously... It could have been a lot worse. I must say, everyone at the hospital were incredible. I'm truly grateful."

PRESS RELEASES
(24 Oct 2017) Breakout artist/songwriter Levi Hummon transcends convention forging an impressive musical path that is gaining critical attention as he garners accolades and fans around the globe.
 Hummon released a new song, “Stupid,” which is about seizing opportunities and not thinking about the consequences (see it >> here), premiered with Just Jared and the song is developing an enthusiastic following on Spotify’s Hot Country, Wild Country, and New Boots, which is remarkable for an act following his dreams on his own terms. Especially since his previous release, “Don’t Waste The Night,” is still featured on Wild Country and New Boots.

(24 Oct 2017) International country superstar Dolly Parton continues her media blitz to promote her first children's album, I Believe In You, as she open up on a special appearance on Dr. Oz Thursday (Oct 26).  Parton covered a variety of topics with Oz, including segments about Mountain Medicine and her personal struggle with kidney stones. In addition, the episode covered the special visit Parton and Dr. Oz recently made to the Vanderbilt Children's hospital. 

(25 Oct 2017) Emerging Sony Music Nashville band LANCO made their Grand Ole Opry debut Tues night (Oct 24) during the ninth annual “Opry Goes Pink.” The five-man band received a standing ovation after offering up a performance of “Trouble Maker” off their self-titled EP, a medley of Alabama’s iconic hits “Dixieland Delight” and “Song of the South” along with their Top 10 single, "Greatest Love Story.” Adding to the band’s night of career firsts, LANCO was surprised with the news that “Greatest Love Story" has been certified GOLD by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 units, and it immediately shot to the No. One spot on the iTunes Country Chart as they walked offstage.
“It was an honor to make our Grand Ole Opry debut during such a special night and take the stage that is the original home to the entire country music genre,” said lead singer Brandon Lancaster. “Since I was six-years-old I remember sitting in those pews and seeing acts like Alabama so to have our families out there watching us was a full circle moment.”

(26 Oct 2017) 'All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers Farewell Celebration' Full Of Surprises & Emotional Moments - Article

(26 Oct 2017) Kenny Chesney Goes Platinum in Boston, Millionth Ticket to Gillette Stadium Show Has Been Sold
Over 12 Different Summers, No Shoes Nation Was Born.  It was only a matter of time. With fan club sales underway for the Trip Around the Sun 2018 Tour presented by Blue Chair Bay® Rum, Kenny Chesney has passed the million-ticket mark at Gillette Stadium. With several tracks from his Live in No Shoes Nation recorded at Gillette Stadium, there has been a love affair between the songwriter from East Tennessee and the people of New England. “The fans who’ve come out to the Gillette Stadium shows, since we started doing stadium shows back in 2005, have always rocked our world,” Chesney says. “And it’s grown, and built, and gotten louder and louder”.

(27 Oct 2017) Country music icon Lee Greenwood, received a special birthday wish this morning in a tweet from President Donald Trump. Greenwood, who is often referred to as America’s Patriot, is available for a satellite media tour November 6 in celebration of Veterans Day. In the tweet sent (Oct 27), Trump wrote: “Happy Birthday to the great @TheLeeGreenwood. You and your beautiful song have made such a difference. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

(27 Oct 2017) Justin Moore, seven-time chart-topping singer/songwriter joined industry friends and family last night in Nashville to celebrate multiple career milestones. An inaugural artist signed to The Valory Music Co. in 2007, under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella, the Arkansas native has sustained a hearty run of hits across four studio albums. The event honored PLATINUM certifications for Justin Moore and OUTLAWS LIKE ME as well as the GOLD certification of OFF THE BEATEN PATH. Additionally, the catchy “Bait a Hook” achieved PLATINUM sales status for the Big Machine Music writer, who penned the track alongside Jeremy Stover and Rhett Akins.

REVIEWS
(24 Oct 2017) Brandy Clark and Cross Atlantic in Manchester (mini review).

WATCH
(24 Oct 2017) Brown & Gray >> "Top Down" (>> Official Video) published on Sep 7, 2017 (383K Views)
The single is now at country radio. Brown & Gray are a new guy-girl duo bringing mid-tempo groove to the airwaves. Spotlighted on SiriusXM as part of "The Highway" channel's "Highway Finds" initiative, "Top Down" is said to have early believers on board and is building momentum as it heads to terrestrial radio.

(25 Oct 2017) Official >> Music Video for "Old Things" by Brenda Burch. Song Available on EP, Sparks Will Fly, here!
The single (writers Brenda Burch, Bryan Edwards, David Dorn) is being promoted across Europe on the November 2017 #227 Hotdisc
When you let go of the old to make room for the new, you gotta take time to do the fun things you love to do. :-)



(27 Oct 2017) First Aid Kit "Postcard" (>> Vevo Lyric Video)
This connection is at the core of "Postcard," the newest song from their forthcoming LP, Ruins, due on January 19th (iTunes). It Premiered exclusively in a lyric video on Rolling Stone Country, "Postcard" sets Klara and Johanna Söderberg to a twangy, Gram Parson-esque piano line that says a final farewell to a fading romance. "'Postcard' is one of the most traditional sounding songs we’ve ever written, and we wanted the production to mirror that," Klara told Rolling Stone Country of the track that moves the sisters away from their more ethereal material to grounded, rootsy construction.

COUNTRY FASHION
(23 Oct 2017) Hillary Scott, one-third of the multi-PLATINUM selling and GRAMMY winning trio Lady Antebellum, introduced her exclusive “LaBellum” fall fashion collection (Oct 23), for entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN. Designed with comfort in mind to flatter women of every walk of life, Scott expands into different brands with embroidered dresses, sweaters knits and chiffon tops poised with velvet, embellishment details and warm floral prints. She previewed the collection during a segment dedicated to LaBellum, during Hillary Scott Fashions (10/23 at 10:00P EST on HSN). Fans can view and purchased the entire line here.

























 “Working on this line just gets more and more fun as I learn more about what women are loving and snatching up the quickest,” said Scott. “Their reaction has been so exciting and that energy has definitely gone into designing this new fall line. It’s an empowering feeling to be able to create something from the ground up that makes other women feel confident about themselves as well."
"Hillary’s exclusive apparel collection, LaBellum, has shown impressive growth since the April launch, generally yielding multiple sell-outs per visit,’ stated Carmen Bauza, Chief Merchandising Officer, HSN. ‘We’re thrilled to welcome her back as she presents her best collection yet—a chic assembly of fall must-haves."
Scott elaborated on the inspiration and creative process behind the fall LaBellum line with Country Living
Country Living.com dubbed the new line to be full of “practicality and body-positivity." Since the debut of LaBellum in April, featuring her bohemian chic collection, the assortment has exceeded sales expectations by more than twenty percent, grossing millions of dollars. Scott also manifested eight instant sell outs during primetime hours on The List with Colleen Lopez. Having touched fans across the globe with her music, Scott intends to make all women feel confident with their everyday wardrobe.
Courtesy of LaBellum by Hillary Scott

COUNTRY GOSSIP
(25 Oct 2017) Sexual harassment almost turned Jana Kramer off entertainment career

The Harvey Weinstein sex scandal has brought back bad memories for singer/actress Jana Kramer because she was propositioned by a male talent agent at the start of her career.
The country star, who initially rose to fame on hit TV drama One Tree Hill, revealed she almost quit her life in showbusiness before it had really begun because of the inappropriate behaviour of a former representative.
"I had a man helping me in the very beginning, when I was 19, and he was like, 'OK, I've done this for you. What are you going to do for me?'" she told Yahoo Lifestyle. "And I remember in that moment being like, 'Oh my God! I am going to have to sleep with this man in order to fulfill my dreams.'"
Jana burst into tears at the thought and ended up driving the man away with her emotional breakdown, and she confesses she would have walked away from her chosen career had it not been for her mother.
"I ended up just bawling, crying, and having a panic attack, and he left," she recalled.
Remembering how her mum had reacted when Jana announced she was giving up on Hollywood, the star shared, "She's like, 'The hell you are!' She said, 'Don't let a man try and take something away from you like that. Be the bigger person. Fight back.'"
The 33-year-old eventually fired the creepy agent, and found a new representative to help her pursue her dreams, but the experience still haunts her to this day.
Jana said, "I'll never forget that... how easy it is for something like that to happen and for me to think, 'I can't do this,' and then they win.". Kramer has since also had to overcome issues of domestic violence and infidelity in her private life, but she has used her voice to address her struggles in public in the hopes of helping other women facing similar problems.

PHOTO
(25 Oct 2017) Sweet Streams: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were surprised with a digital gold plaque for "Islands In The Stream" during rehearsals for All In For The Gambler: Kenny Rogers' Farewell Concert Celebration. 

Pictured (l-r) are Sony Music Nashville's John Zarling, Vector Management's Ken Levitan, Rogers, Parton, CTK Management's Danny Nozell and Webster PR's Kirt Webster.









BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead

October 30: Timothy Schmitt (Eagles - (1947), T Graham Brown (1954), the late Patsy Montana (1914; died May 3, 1996 (aged 87))
October 31: Kate Campbell (1961), Darryl Worley  (1964)
November 1: Bill Anderson (1937), Lyle Lovett (1956), Keith Stegall (1954) 
November 2: k d lang (1962), Beverley Mahood (1974),
November 4: Delbert McClinton (1940), Kim Forester (Forester Sisters) (1960),
November 5: the late Roy Rogers - (1911; died July 6, 1998 (aged 86), the late Gram Parsons (1946; died Sept 19, 1973 (aged 26), Joni Harms (1959), Heather & Jennifer Kinley (Kinleys) (1970), Ryan Adams (1974)

R.I.P
(25 Oct 2017) Fats Domino Dies At 89
Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr. passed away at 89, reported CBS affiliate WWL-TV/New Orleans. The station, citing a call from Domino's family to anchor Eric Paulson, reported this morning that DOMINO died last night (10/24).
The NEW ORLEANS-based singer had a string of hits for Imperial Records in the 1950s and 1960s, including "Blueberry Hill," "Ain't That A Shame," "Blue MONDAY," "Whole Lotta Loving," "Walkin' To New Orleans," and "I'm Walkin'." He won a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987 and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame the same year.
Discography www.bear-family.de


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