Wednesday 8 November 2017

Country Bites News snippets October 30, 2017 – November 5, 2017

UK & Irish News, UK Chart News, Album Releases, Bluegrass News, Canadian News, Country News (Awards, TV, Babies), Press Releases, Country Fashion, Gossip, Birthdays, Links to Articles, Reviews, Books, & Videos.

SOURCES / LINKS shown

For the latest Billboard Country Charts Blog Post go HERE



UK & IRISH News

For a full listing of 2017 UK Tour dates PLEASE check out our Tour Dates Page
Recently added: (4 Nov 2017) Alan West & Steve Black (Nov-Jan), Case Hardin (Nov), Fifth Floor(Nov), Charlie Dore (Jan-Apr), Gary Quinn (Nov-Apr), Goat Roper Band (Nov-Dec), Hannah Johnson And The Broken Hearts (Nov-Feb), Jess Morgan (Dec), Josh Kelley (Feb), Journey Home (Nov-Jan), Kerri Watt (Nov-Dec), Lisa McHugh (Nov), Lucy-May (Nov), Megan O'Neill & The Common Threads (Dec-Jan), Nashville Nights LONDON (Dec), Rhiannon Giddens (NOV) Ticketmaster UK
Thorne Hill (Nov-Dec), Sally Barker & Vicki Genfan (Nov-Jan), Sarah McQuaid (Feb), Saskia Vese (Dec-July), The Carrivick Sisters (Nov), The Haley Sisters (Nov-Dec), The Secret Sisters (Nov), UKCountryRadio.com Music Nights (Nov),
Ward Thomas (Dec; 
ON SALE ), The Worry Dolls (Nov-Dec)


On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist for the week commencing Saturday 4th November 2017
A Playlist:
Roy Orbison & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Drove All Night (feat. Ward Thomas)
B Playlist:
Andy Brown - Landslide (feat. Crissie Rhodes) added to the "B" Playlist
Kelsea Ballerini - Legends
C Playlist:
First Aid Kit - It's A Shame


(1 Nov 2017) UKCountryRadio.com introduce their listeners to VELVET & STONE.
They are an indie-folk band from Devon. They combine rich vocals, acoustic guitar, bass riffs, keys and violin, to give an original take on a traditional genre. Drawing upon personal stories, melancholy tales and rugged landscapes, they create a serene and haunting sound that is difficult to forget. Founding band members Lara Snowdon (vocals and guitar), and Kathryn Tremlett (violin and piano), are joined by Roger Styles on guitar and vocals and Barry Muir on bass. Watch their >> video  "Raise Your Ghosts" (Official Video) | Read More at UKCountryradio.com

(3 Nov 2017) Changes to Chris Country signal in London & Suffolk
Changes have inpacted on way Chris Country transmits in London and Suffolk this week... switching from DAB, to a newer system called DAB+.
The good news is that this increases the quality of the broadcasts. It’s now in stereo in London for the first time ever! It's particularly noticeable in cars. However, there are some older and entry-level radios that aren't DAB+ compatible. More information.


(3 Nov 2017) Lisa McHugh has been busy as usual she has been in Nashville and in Spain as well as touring up and down the country giging between concerts and dances. Lisa went down an absolute storm at the Farmers Bash at the start of October it was, by all account, a fantastic night and she felt the atmosphere was electric!!

Lisa has released the next single "Country Girl" (UK iTunes) taken from her new album WHO I AM (UK iTunes).

‘Country Girl’ is a co-written song that tells the story of what a boy thinks he needs to do to attract a country girl which isn’t all about flowers and diamond rings. Instead he needs to show he can have a good time and “guide her round the floor till the end of the night, cause all you gotta do is do it right if you want to get a country girl"
 Lisa has got the bug for song writing, having just returned from a 10-day trip to Nashville armed with new material.

 Speaking on Nov 2nd, an excited Lisa said she was still on a high from the Stateside trip and admits, although daunted about the prospect of sitting down with some of Nashville ‘s great lyricists she found the experience exhilarating.
 “I hope in the very near future to record some of the songs and ultimately look forward to performing them to my fans”.
 This past few weeks have seen a career high for Lisa performing at the Farmers Bash in the SSE Arena Belfast to over 8000 fans.  Along with concerts and the upcoming weekend of dancing ahead of a busy period right through to New Year’s Eve, the Female Entertainer of the Year is looking forward to a well due rest at the start of January.

(3 Nov 2017) Scottish born singer-songwriter Kerri Watt spent her formative years living between California and Glasgow, giving her a unique upbringing that has influenced her sound. She taught herself guitar while backstage touring the UK as an actor, swapping a life of theatres for venues!

Kerri has spent the last two years touring across the UK and Europe with Starsailor, Ward Thomas, Embrace, Nina Nesbitt, The Overtones and Mike & The Mechanics to name a few. Kerri has performed at many UK festivals including Glastonbury Festival, Isle Of Wight and Secret Garden Party amongst others. She has also played in legendary Los Angeles venue Whiskey A Go Go a couple of times after impressing promoters when she knocked on the door of the venue with her guitar during a holiday out there. See BLOG Spotlight Feature New To You: Kerri Watt on UK Tour in November & December


(4 Nov 2017) Hannah Paris - New Single - "Just You Wait"

















Essex girl Hannah Paris needs help recording her new song "Just You Wait". As of Saturday 4 November, £494 has been pledged of a Kickstarter crowd funded £750 goal by 25 backers with 6 days to go.
All or nothing. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Fri, Nov 10 2017. Pledges start at £1 to £120 (Songwriting session + Publishing tips)
** UPDATE ** The project was successfully fund: £858 pledged of £750 goal by 53 backers with 48 hours to go

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 9 November 2017)
3 November 2017 - 9 November 2017

Patience is a virtue, and after increasing its sales for 13 weeks in a row – the last three of which it spent at No.2 – Camila Cabello's Havana (feat. Young Thug) finally reaches No.1
With sales of 48,615 copies (including 30,499 from sales-equivalent downloads + 18,116 pure sales), the track – taken from Cabello's upcoming album The Hurting, The Healing, The Loving – is the first No.1 for the former Fifth Harmony star, surpassing said band's Work From Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign), which reached No.2 shortly before she left them in 2016.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 9 November 2017)
3 November 2017 - 9 November 2017

With just eight sales between the first week tallies of their last albums, it always looked as though there would be little to choose between Stereophonics' new album SCREAM ABOVE THE SOUNDS and tenor twosome Michael Ball & Alfie Boe's latest collaboration, TOGETHER AGAIN, this week – and so it proved.
After opening up a commanding lead in early trading, Stereophonics' advantage dwindled consistently throughout the week, descending from 11,925 after two days on release to a deficit of 35 in the final analysis, with Scream Above The Sounds – their 10th studio album – eventually debuting at No.2 (43,760 copies; 42,632 sales + 1,128 streams)
 Pooling their talents for the second time, Michael Ball & Alfie Boe's Together Again thus arrived at No.1 on sales of 43,795 copies (including 149 from streams) a week short of a year since their first collaboration, Together, opened at No.2 on sales of 44,860 copies. Together eventually reached No.1 five weeks later.
Together Again provides 55-year-old Ball, from Worcestershire, with his 21st chart album, his eighth Top 10 entry and his third No.1. It is the eighth Top 75 entry, the sixth Top 10 album and second No.1 for 43-year-old Boe from Lancashire, who made his chart debut in 2007. Together Again comprises primarily of show tunes and movie music – as did Together – and a virtual collaboration with the late Bing Crosby on his seasonal smash, White Christmas. Ball & Boe were already the oldest duo to have a No.1 album, and now hold the top two slots in that category.
CHART CLASH The Official Charts Company forced to RECOUNTThe Sun

In her fifth frame former No.1 Shania Twain with NOW fell 40-47 (2,200 estimated sales; 5-week total 33,700)

Margo Price with ALL AMERICAN MADE made a debut at #86 with estimated sales of 1,000 copies
Overall album sales were up 2.52% week-on-week at 1,772,826, 3.10% above same week 2016 sales of 1,719,519. Streaming accounted for 812,660 sales – 45.84% of the total. Sales of paid-for albums were up 7.02% week-on-week at 960,166, 19.71% below same week 2016 sales of 1,195,946.

Official UK Country Album Top 20 (Week Ending 9 November 2017)
3 November 2017 - 9 November 2017

Glen Campbell with ADIOS held at #1 (21 weeks; #1 peak)
Lucinda Williams with THIS SWEET OLD WORLD rose 3-2 (2 weeks; #2 peak)
Margo Price with ALL AMERICAN MADE climbed 9-3 (2 weeks; #3 peak)
Darius Rucker with WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME held at #4 (2 weeks; #4 peak)
Chris Young with LOSING SLEEP rose 6-5 (2 weeks; #5 peak)
White Buffalo with DARKEST DARKS LIGHTEST LIGHTS fell 2-7 (3 weeks; #2 peak)
Lady Antebellum with HEART BREAK held at #7 (210 weeks; #2 peak)
Willie Nelson with WILLIE AND THE BOYS - WILLIE'S STASH - 2 rose 11-8 (2 weeks; #8 peak)
Lee Ann Womack with THE LONELY THE LONESOME & THE GONE made a debut at #9
Dolly Parton with I BELIEVE IN YOU fell 5-10 (3 weeks; #4 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Lisa McHugh with WHO I AM fell 10-12 (4 weeks; #7 peak)
Turnpike Troubadours with A LONG WAY FROM YOUR HEART rose 19-14 (2 weeks; #14 peak)
Carly Pearce with EVERY LITTLE THING made a debut at #20

Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 9 November 2017)
3 November 2017 - 9 November 2017

This Week/ Last Week/ Title/ Artist
1 1 Carry Fire Robert Plant #9 Official Album Chart #20 Official Album Chart
2 9 All American Made Margo Price [Tagged Country] #86 Official Album Chart
3 3 Roll With The Punches Van Morrison [Tagged Blues]
4 14 Life Love Flesh Blood Imelda May [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
5 2 Lotta Sea Lice Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile
6 5 Adios Glen Campbell [Tagged Country] # Official Album Chart
7 NEW Turn Out The Lights Julien Baker [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
8 6 A Deeper Understanding War On Drugs [Tagged Alt]
9 4 This Sweet Old World Lucinda Williams [Tagged Singer/Songwriter Alt/Folk]
10 11 A/B Kaleo [Tagged Alt]
Outside The Top 10
12 8 Hitchhiker Neil Young [Tagged Rock]
14 NEW The Lonely The Lonesome & The Gone Lee Ann Womack [Tagged Country]
15 7 Exile & Grace King King #31 Official Album Chart [Tagged Blues]
19 10 Out Of All This Blue Waterboys [Tagged Rock]
23 NEW River Megan Henwood [Tagged Singer/Songwriter]
33 NEW Yarrow Deep Dark Woods

UK Country iTunes Chart November 6, 2017
Songs
1. Little Big Town - Pain Killer (#179 overall UK Singles chart) sales sparked by >> a performance on his very own show, Harry Styles At The BBC - BBC page
2. John Denver - Take Me Home, Country Roads (#270 overall UK Singles chart)
3. Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - Islands In The Stream (#395 overall UK Singles chart)
4. The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia (#563 overall UK Singles chart)
5. Johnny Cash - Hurt (#589 overall UK Singles chart)
6. Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey (#620 overall UK Singles chart)
7. Kelsea Ballerini - Miss Me More (#687 overall UK Singles chart)
8. Dolly Parton - 9 To 5 (#791 overall UK Singles chart)
9. Dolly Parton - Jolene (#794 overall UK Singles chart)
10. Lady Antebellum - Need You Now (#858 overall UK Singles chart)
Of Note
11. Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats (#914 overall UK Singles chart)
Debuts November 3, 2017:
Paul Kelly - Willie the Dealer #7 UK Country iTunes Singles (#564 overall UK Albums chart) UK iTunes

UK Country iTunes Chart November 6, 2017
Albums
1. Kelsea Ballerini - Unapologetically (#23 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut Fri 3 Nov: #1 UK Country iTunes (#7 overall UK Albums chart)
2. Kid Rock - Sweet Southern Sugar (#106 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut Fri 3 Nov: #3 UK Country iTunes (#47 overall UK Albums chart)
3. Various Artists - The Country Album (#186 overall UK Albums chart)
4. Blake Shelton - Texoma Shore (#214 overall UK Albums chart) | Debut Fri 3 Nov: #2 UK Country iTunes (#32 overall UK Albums chart)
5. Various Artists - Country - 101 All Time Greats (#313 overall UK Albums chart)
6. Shania Twain - Now (Deluxe) (#363 overall UK Albums chart)
7. Shania Twain - Greatest Hits (#378 overall UK Albums chart)
8. Luke Combs - This One's For You (#416 overall UK Albums chart)
9. Brett Young - Brett Young (#424 overall UK Albums chart)
10. Taylor Swift - Red Deluxe (#478 overall UK Albums chart)
Debuts November 3, 2017:
Jess Moskaluke - Past the Past #24 UK Country iTunes (#785 overall UK Albums chart)
Ned LeDoux - Sagebrush #25 UK Country iTunes (#791 overall UK Albums chart)
Danny Phegan -  From Where I Stand #50 UK Country iTunes
Lucy-May - Little By Little #84 UK Country iTunes

UK COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES

(1 Nov 2017) Jimmy Wayne - Ruby Toons (Bea Hive Records)
13 Tracks/ Time: 43:58 Children’s Music Amazon UK
Nearly a decade after his third country record and literally hundreds of thousands of miles under his feet from tirelessly campaigning for the rights of foster kids across the country, Jimmy Wayne has found a new way to deliver his message and continue his work, a family and kids album inspired by the puppy he adopted on his well-documented walk across America, Ruby.

(3 Nov 2017) Blake Shelton - Texoma Shore (Warner Bros.)
11 Tracks/ Time: 38:23 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #2 UK Country iTunes (#32 overall UK Albums chart) | #4 US iTunes
Named for Lake Texoma, the Oklahoma native’s 11th studio album was produced by Scott Hendricks and features lead single “I’ll Name The Dogs,” plus cuts by Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne, Craig Wiseman, Dallas Davidson, Ross Copperman, Rhett Akins, Ashley Gorley and more.
"Texoma Shore" will feature SHELTON's current single, "I'll Name The Dogs," "LAKE TEXOMA has always been a place of great memories, new and old," said SHELTON of the album's title. 

"I literally recorded this album on its shore, so it's full-circle for me to take the love of this place and my love of Country music. When you listen to the record, it will go from something traditional, to something that will make your head spin back, to something even more traditional. That's just what you can expect from my albums. At this point in my career, it's always good for me to try something different, with different sounds, and I think that you'll hear hints of that on this record. I've explored just about every part of Country music you can explore, and it seems like I always keep coming back to my roots, which is traditional Country music. I love great songs, and there are so many talented writers in NASHVILLE, but I do have a song on the album that I wrote, and I'm very proud of it."
Blake Shelton - Official Texoma Shore Pre-Order Bundles
Ultimate Texoma Shore Guitar Bundle $499.99 | I'll Name The Dogs T-Shirt Bundle $34.99 | Texoma Shore Music Bundle $20.99

(3 Nov 2017) Kelsea Ballerini - Unapologetically (Sony Music CG/ BLACK RIVER ENTERTAINMENT) 
12 Tracks/ Time: 41:23 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #1 UK Country iTunes (#7 overall UK Albums chart) | #3 US iTunes all genres |
For her second album, Ballerini penned or co-penned more than 200 songs for consideration. Eleven songs made the final cut, including lead single “Legends” and the title track, which was written with Forest Glen Whitehead and Hillary Lindsey.
Tennessee native Kelsea Ballerini tries to avoid the sophomore slump after a debut filled with hits including "Peter Pan," "Yeah Boy" and "Love Me Like You Mean It.

(3 Nov 2017) Meghan Linsey - Bold Like a Lion
13 Tracks/ Time: 44:08 POP/ Country US iTunes - Amazon.com

(3 Nov 2017) Lee Brice - Lee Brice (Curb)
15 Tracks/ Time: 52:59 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #4 UK Country iTunes (#78 overall UK Albums chart)
Brice co-produced his fourth LP, which features 15 tracks including “I Don’t Smoke” (with guitars by Warren Haynes), “Story To Tell (Little Bird),” (cowritten by Edwin McCain, who also guests on the track), and the album’s first single “Boy.”

(3 Nov 2017) Jess Moskaluke - Past the Past (MDM Recordings) CAN
7 Tracks/ Time: 21:50 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #24 UK Country iTunes (#785 overall UK Albums chart)

(3 Nov 2017) Johnny Cash - Unearthed (9-Vinyl LP Box set)
Johnny Cash’s much-acclaimed box set of primarily unreleased material, Unearthed, is to be reissued as a nine-album vinyl box set on November 3, 2017. To celebrate the Man in Black’s enduring and influential legacy, American Recordings and UMe have reconfigured this monolithic collection for its first-ever vinyl release, spreading Unearthed’s 79 songs over nine high-quality 180-gram vinyl LPs while expanding the original box's distinctive packaging for the long-playing format.
Johnny Cash Boxset Click to Enlarge

The Unearthed vinyl box features a pair of cloth-bound books housed in an LP-sized black cloth slipcase. One book holds the nine LPs, while the other is a gorgeous 60-page coffee table book that incorporates Sylvie Simmons' extensive liner notes, drawn from five days of interviews at Cash's home in Tennessee, as well as Cash and Rubin's comments on every song on the set, plus a copious selection of photographs from the recording sessions, including some of the last photos ever taken of Cash. Unearthed was originally released as a CD box set by producer Rick Rubin’s American Recordings in November 2003, two months after the country superstar’s passing.
In addition, after 2000's Classics and 2015's Classics 2, John Conlee is prepping to release Classics 3 on November 17 on his own Rose Colored Glasses label.

(3 Nov 2017) Jennifer Hanson - Under the Tree (Jennifer Hanson Music) CHRIS
4 Tracks/ Time: 10:54 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Her first new music in nine years, Hanson’s foursong Christmas EP includes two self-penned songs, an arrangement of “What Child Is This” and Jennifer at the age of three and a half singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
Jennifer Hanson came on the scene to critical acclaim with her self-titled debut album. Her single “Beautiful Goodbye” (2003 Amazon UK) went on to be a top 15 hit, the highest charting debut single by a new female artist for that year. Solidifying herself as a viable artist in the country music format, recording for both Capitol Records and Universal South, it has been Hanson’s songwriting that has led to her continued success in an ever-changing industry. Hanson’s artistry and songs have garnered ACM, CMT and GRAMMY nominations, as well as numerous BMI, SESAC and NSAI awards. Collectively, her songs have sold millions of albums worldwide.

Jennifer Hanson has released a wonderfully retro >> animated music video for the song "Only Thing I Really Need."  The feel of the lyric video is intentionally reminiscent of the classic animated Christmas TV specials she watched as a child.

(3 Nov 2017) Kid Rock - Sweet Southern Sugar (BBR Music Group/ 2017 Top Dog Records)
10 Tracks/ Time: 42:56 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #3 UK Country iTunes (#47 overall UK Albums chart)
Rock will hit the road with his "Greatest Show On Earth Tour," which is set to kick off in Nashville on Friday, January 19th. The tour is also scheduled to make stops in Tulsa, Houston, Atlanta, Toronto, Cleveland, Chicago, and many more. Tickets and VIP packages will go on sale via the Live Nation website here the same day as "Sweet Southern Sugar" is released.
Kid Rock makes his debut for the label, incorporating country, rap and rock among the 10 songs. This marked the first time that the Kid has recorded in Music City. "Greatest Show On Earth" and "Po-Dunk," as well as recent single "Tennessee Mountain Top" are among the songs.

(3 Nov 2017) Ned LeDoux - Sagebrush (Powder River/Thirty Tigers)
12 Tracks/ Time: 46:46 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #25 UK Country iTunes (#791 overall UK Albums chart)
The debut album was produced by Mac McAnally and includes eight songs Ned wrote or co-wrote, including “You Can’t Tell Me We Ain’t Got It All” (the first original song he co-wrote with his dad, the late Chris LeDoux), plus a remake of his father’s song “This Cowboy Hat,” featuring Chase Rice.

(3 Nov 2017) Trout Steak Revival - Spirit to the Sea (Trout Steak Revival)
13 Tracks/ Time: 49:00 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #147 US Country iTunes (# overall US Albums chart)

(3 Nov 2017) Amanda Cook - Deep Water (Mountain Fever Records)
12 Tracks/ Time: 41:01 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #110 US Country iTunes (# overall US Albums chart)

(3 Nov 2017) Blitzen Trapper - Wild and Reckless (2017 Lojinx)
12 Tracks/ Time: 38:11 Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #83 UK Country iTunes

(3 Nov 2017) Sam Carter - Sam Carter (EP)
4 Tracks/ Time: 14:41 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #41 US Country iTunes

(3 Nov 2017) Danny Phegan -  From Where I Stand (William Osland Consulting) AUS
15 Tracks/ Time: 56:33 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #50 UK Country iTunes (# overall UK Albums chart)
Lyrical country blended with a modern feel. 15 tracks of country, country/rock, folk, ballad and blues
Danny Phegan is a well-known Albury identity and businessman with a big heart and enormous energy. He is a farmer and family man; a horseman (and fellow 'Longrider' of the long riders guild, having ridden horse-back 5,500 km's across Australia); a publican; a published author; a popular singer/songwriter and now recording artist.
There are 15 tracks in total on the album which include a handful of bonus covers, one of which was recorded with his band LONGREACH at a live performance.
Danny Phegan is a larger than life character who typifies the image of a hard working all-rounder Aussie bloke.


(3 Nov 2017) Lucy-May - Little By Little (Absolute Marketing)
11 Tracks/ Time: 37:49
Amazon UK (MP3) - Amazon UK (CD) - UK iTunes - Amazon.com - HMV (Physical copies in HMV)
Debut Fri 3 Nov: #84 UK Country iTunes








BLUEGRASS NEWS
(3 Nov 2017) IB: International Bluegrass November 2017 
Exhilaration: the 28th Annual IBMA Awards; Every Shade of Bluegrass on Second Ballot; Rhiannon Giddens' Keynote Address: 54 Page Feature on line

CANADIAN NEWS
(30 Oct 2017) Genevieve Fisher "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
For her first Christmas release, Genevieve selects the all time classic, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. This was recorded at Barrytone Studios, the track combines Genevieve's smooth, silky vocal performance – iTunes.ca

(31 Oct 2017) Erin Hill Easy
Born and raised in small town Saskatchewan, Erin Hill developed a love for music at an early age. Through the years Erin spent her time singing, playing guitar and perfecting her songwriting to develop her unique style and brand she can call her own. With country, pop and folk influences, Erin Hill is an artist who is true to her craft and is now breaking out in 2017 as the female artist to watch. The album is written entirely by Hill and shows the depth and maturity of this artist. Be sure to watch out for her this year!

(1 Nov 2017) Leah Belle "Time For Some Country"

Leah Belle  is an emerging country singing dynamo who was born and raised in Sudbury, ON. Leah has been singing since she could walk but started taking lessons at the age of 6, looking up and emulating stars such as Carrie Underwood & The Band Perry. She is also influenced by Pop Music Stars like Katy Perry but admits that she loves the blues too. Her style is uniquely her own, as she is a fresh face with a sassy attitude.  She is motivated but most importantly, she is a true performer and has a passion that is driving her into early success. 


(1 Nov 2017) Alecia Aichelle "Get Gone"
ACMA nominated country artist, Alecia Aichelle, is captivating, passionate, and driven. Informed she would never sing again after complications with throat surgery a few years ago, Alecia illustrated true resilience and fought all odds for a miraculous recovery.  After releasing three singles to radio off her debut full-length album, Golden. Songwriting and recording new music in Nashville. "GET GONE", Alecia's 4th single to radio, is fun and feisty with the perfect combination of both class and sass. Written solely by Alecia, Get Gone packs a punch with its dynamic lyrics and upbeat tempo.

(3 Nov 2017) Heather Rankin "Wrap It Up" (Christmas Single)
Growing up in a large family, in the close-knit community of Mabou on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island, Christmas for Heather Rankin was a joyous, fun filled affair with good food, lots of music and the warmth of family and friends. While the meaning of Christmas and the ways of celebrating it have changed over the years, those essential ideas of togetherness, peace and remembrance have remained. And they are the emotional impetus behind "Imagine", Heather Rankin's first Christmas album. "Imagine" comes on the heels of her first solo record, having recently embarked on her new artistic journey after twenty-five years as a member of Canada's beloved Rankin Family.

NEWS
(3 Nov 2017) Kim Richey is back with a new single! (UK iTunes) “Hey there! Here’s a new song produced by Brad Jones - a duet with one of my favorite writing partners, your friend and mine...Mando Saenz!  The Get Together." - Kim Richey

AWARDS
(3 Nov 2017) News broke that the Country Music Association had lifted restrictions set on media ahead of next week's #CMAAwards red carpet:

The guidelines in question restricted the topics that members of the media could talk to artists about. Any questions about gun rights, the Las Vegas shootings and politics were prohibited, with the threat of the outlet losing their credentials.
Several artists openly criticized or mocked the new guidelines, most notably CMA Awards co-host Brad Paisley, who said, "I'm sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous and unfair press guidelines. In 3...2....1....."."
To no one’s surprise, the Route 91 Harvest tragedy in Las Vegas was an ever-present backdrop to the press conference. “Art is important in these times, especially art that allows you to process,”
Paisley said. “If we are at our best Wednesday night, we are going to be a therapy session. We are going to be a chance to get together and mourn, celebrate the good things and lift one another up.
That’s why it’s important to watch.”
 Asked about finding a balance with lighter material, Carrie Underwood added, “There’s a lot to talk about, it’s just the way in which we talk about it that’s been the challenge. We’re not short of news, we’re just trying to find our way on how to deliver. It’s a balance. I hope we get it all right.”
 “We won’t,” Paisley joked. “If you ever go to a memorial service, you will hear a lot of laughter because it’s a place you tell stories. This isn’t a memorial service this year, but there is an aspect of the show that has to memorialize some things. In some ways, the comedy aspect of what we’ve written has come a little easier. It’s just how to put that in the right place in the show.”
* UPDATE *
Brad Paisley Backstage during Rehearsals at the CMA Awards >> Vimeo
Kelsea Ballerini Backstage during Rehearsals at the CMA Awards >> Vimeo

TV
(4 Nov 2017) The Nashville TV drama will feature several fresh new faces when the show returns for its sixth season. CMT has revealed the five new actors who will join the cast in 2018.
Josh Stamberg, Jake Etheridge, Rainee Lyleson, Nic Luken and Dylan Arnold will join the cast of the beloved CMT show for the upcoming season, heightening some of the ongoing storylines with main characters and also bringing new drama and intrigue to Nashville. Stamberg is a veteran of The Affair, Parenthood and more. According to CMT's announcement, he comes to the show in the recurring role of Darius, described as "an extremely charismatic founder of a self-actualization movement that has transformed many lives. Read more at Taste Of Country

BABY NEWS
(2 Nov 2017) Country music star Chris and Morgane Stapleton are expecting twins, according to a post on Morgane's Instagram account.
Her post read, “14 years, 2 babies, & 2 more on the way. Happy 10 year anniversary babe! You make my whole world go round.”
The pair were married in 2007 and already have two kids, a son and a daughter. They've chosen to not to publicly reveal the names of their children.

(4 Nov 2017) Clay Walker and his wife, Jessica, have welcomed their fourth child, a son named Ezra Stephen Walker.
Walker revealed the news via social media on Friday (Nov. 3), writing, "Our newest angel!! Ezra Stephen Walker has arrived! He and Mama are healthy and home:) Blessed...thank you for your prayers always."
The couple revealed the pregnancy when they walked the red carpet at the ACM Awards on April 2.

PRESS RELEASES
(30 Oct 2017) SESAC, the only music rights organization in the U.S., will honor GRAMMY™ award-winning superstar and music icon Kenny Rogers with the SESAC Legacy Award at its Nashville Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, it was announced by John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC Holdings, Inc.
Rogers, a SESAC affiliate and one of the most highly-esteemed performers in country music, will receive the SESAC Legacy Award in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the creative arts. The annual awards show, which celebrates the successes of SESAC's songwriters and publishers, will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville.

(1 Nov 2017) The Christmas 4 Kids organization (Website) announced the lineup for its 2017 Ryman Auditorium concert, set for Monday, November 20 at 7:00 PM in Nashville. Hunter Hayes will headline this year's show with Brett Young, John Berry, Halfway to Hazard, and Lindsay Ell also scheduled to perform. This year marks the organization's 35th anniversary.
 "We are so thankful for all of these great artists who have all volunteered to donate their time and talent to help bring a better Christmas to so many children in need," said Christmas 4 Kids President Linda O'Connell. "This year, Christmas 4 Kids is celebrating its 35th anniversary so this concert will be extra special!"

ARTICLES
(3 Nov 2017) Cacketts Cackling: Off the Record with Alan Cackett – November 2017
The November Off The Record with Alan Cackett column was published in Music Republic Magazine
In this hard-hitting column he raises the issue of high ticket prices and the growing disparity between the money the big stars are paid and the performers near the bottom of the pile, many of whom are increasingly finding it difficult to make a living with their music. The ‘greed’ of the big stars and also the major promoters is now, in his my view, quite immoral. Selling out huge arenas a year in advance, and sitting on the their fans hard-earned cash is just not acceptable. What is this world coming to … a greedy minority taking full advantage, and we’re helpless to do anything about. Do take the time to read the column and let me have your comments and feedback…Read More

BOOKS
Charlie Daniels - Never Look At The Empty Seats: A Memoir
Kindle, Audio CD, Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 24, 2017)
The Incredible Story of a Country Music Legend
Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than Charlie Daniels.
Readers will experience a soft, personal side of Charlie Daniels that has never before been documented. In his own words, he presents the path from his post-depression childhood to performing for millions as one of the most successful country acts of all time and what he has learned along the way. The book also includes insights into the many musicians that orbited Charlie’s world, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Tammy Wynette and many more.
A tale of hard work, musical discovery, and faith, Charlie Daniels’s journey has been one of a kind. Equal parts rebel-rouser and apostle, it’s no small coincidence he launched his career by beating the Devil with a fiddle in hand. I love this man, the things he stands for, and his music. What a story. - Brad Paisley, Grammy Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter.


WATCH
(29 Oct 2017) Walker Hayes "Halloween" feat. Nicolle Galyon (Walker Hayes, Nicolle Galyon) >> YouTube (published on Oct 6, 2017; 50K views)
Monument Records’ Walker Hayes will release boom., his long-awaited, full-length studio album, on Friday, Dec. 8. Hayes, who wrote or co-wrote every song on the 10-track album.

COUNTRY FASHION
(4 Nov 2017) Kelsea Ballerini attended the Nickelodeon Halo Awards at Pier 36 in New York City.  November 4th, 2017.
She was wearing Victoria Hayes Spring/Summer 2018 (Not available online) and Aldo Stessy Pumps ($80.00)
































COUNTRY GOSSIP
(31 Oct 2017) Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard knows how to show a pregnant woman a good time - he has bought his wife a vintage truck as a push present.
The singer took to Instagram over the weekend and shared photos of the happy couple in her new vehicle, which just happens to be the first car they drove as a married couple.
"So flipping thoughtful he is... surprising me with the first car we drove away in as a married couple," Hayley captioned one photo of herself seated next to the country star in the truck.
Hubbard also shared a photo showing his wife standing beside the blue truck on their property, and added: "Sunday night date night in our date night truck."
The couple recently revealed it is expecting a baby in December, and Tyler and Hayley recently celebrated the impending birth at a baby shower, which featured guests like Jason Aldean's pregnant wife, Brittany, who shared an Instagram photo of herself and Hayley touching their baby bumps together.
"Celebrating BABY GIRL @hayley_hubbard & @thubbmusic," she wrote. "I have a feeling our little man is going to have a lifelong crush."

(3 Nov 2017) Webster PR now known as Westby Public Relations have lost most of their Clients!
A day after a former client issued online allegations of sexual misconduct and assault by Webster Public Relations Founder Kirt Webster, the company is rebranding as Westby Public Relations under the direction of Webster PR executive Jeremy Westby. A statement from the company reads, "Earlier today, it was mistakenly posted on the Webster Public Relations' website that the firm has been closed”.

Webster PR has run into a lot of trouble with Kirk Webster being accused of sexual assault. This apparently happened back in 2008. Several employees have now
 come forward with complaints as well. This could be the end of this PR company as artists drop this company as their representatives.
Webster Public Relations will continue operating - but under the name Westby Public Relations ­while Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him. The company's work on behalf of its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Kirt's longstanding colleague." The rebranding follows social media posts from Austin Rick and multiple media reports over the last 24 hours.

Several artists, including Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, have apparently dropped Webster Public Relations as their agency after the company's founder Kirt Webster was accused by a former artist of sexual assault.
Artists who have been removed from the site - as of 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2 - since the allegations were reported are Aaron Lewis, Big & Rich, Bill Anderson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Crystal Gayle, Cyndi Lauper, Deborah Allen, Denny Strickland, Dolly Parton, Don McLean, Gene Watson, Hank Williams Jr., Jeannie Seely, Jimmy Fortune, John Anderson, John Conlee, Johnny Lee, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kenny G, Kid Rock, Keifer Sutherland, Lacy J. Dalton, Lee Greenwood, Leroy Van Dyke, Locash, Lucas Hoge, Meat Loaf, Moe Bandy, Olivia Lane, Rodney Carrington, Roy Clark, Sam Moore, Sylvia, Tanya Tucker, The Judds, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tim Rushlow, Wanda Jackson and William Michael Morgan.
Austin Rick claimed he was drugged and sexually assaulted. Rick said Webster offered him publicity opportunities and magazine coverage in exchange for the sexual acts.
Rick claims Webster paid him to stay quiet and threatened he would make it so nobody in the country music industry ever heard his name again.
At the time, Rick was an aspiring country music artist who opened for big names and once performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
Webster has not been charged with a crime, and one legal analyst said it's unlikely he could face charges stemming from Rick's allegations.
"The question is what can the law do about this after so many years?" said defense attorney David Raybin.

Kid Rock is never one to remain quiet, even in a controversial situation. And, true to form, the singer is came forth with an opinion on his former publicist, Kirt Webster, who is in the middle of a swirl of sexual harassment allegations. According to the Detroit News, the Michigan native minced no words regarding Webster. “I hope to god this [expletive] he is being accused of is not true as he has been nothing but a good friend to me,” he wrote in an email to Bob Lefsetz, whose popular Lefsetz Letter newsletter is read by many entertainment industry professionals. “But if it comes to light that it is, I will be the first to cut the head off the snake.”

(4 Nov 2017) Meghan Linsey urges country stars to point out Nashville predators
Outspoken singer Meghan Linsey urged her fellow country stars to speak out about abuse and harassment and shine a light on the seedy side of Nashville, Tennessee.
Last year (2016) Linsey took to Facebook and revealed she had been groped by "a very powerful man in the music business" who then threatened to end her career when she spurned his unwanted attention, and she has been watching movie mogul Harvey Weinstein's fall from grace with interest after he was accused by countless actresses of sexual assault and harassment.
And she now thinks it's high time for country music's stars to take aim at the industry's predators.
"It (initial report of the groping) was very mixed reviews a year ago, and part of that was the reason I didn’t come out with the name (of my attacker)," she told BuzzFeed News.
Linsey is still refusing to name names, but she is hoping more women come forward with sordid tales of life behind the scenes.
"I hope that people start to open their eyes to it and see what’s going on," she says. "Country music is so hush-hush about everything. It’s so much harder to speak out."
She insists there are sexual predators throughout country music, and she took aim at disgraced publicist Kirt Webster, who has lost clients like Kid Rock this week after another former client went public with allegations suggesting Webster molested and sexually assaulted him. Webster denied the allegations.
"When you have a person like that, who everybody kind of knows, and nobody says anything...," Linsey adds, "people do dismiss it, and they go, 'Well, he’s so important, he works with all these people'. I hope that people start to open their eyes to it and see what’s going on... This business is so small. It’s such a small town."

(4 Nov 2017) Elle King proud of herself for overcoming 'tough' divorce
Singer Elle King overcame her "tough" marriage split by throwing herself into her music and ridding her life of bad people.

The Ex's & Oh's star announced she had split from her husband Andrew Ferguson on Instagram in May (17), and in the same post, revealed the couple had actually been married for over a year, after secretly tying the knot just three weeks into its romance.
"My heart is broken. My soul aches. I am lost," she added. "He is the greatest love of my life. He is my best friend. As we separate, and attempt to find our footing through life, all I can hope for us is that we both find happiness within ourselves."
After struggling with a bout of depression, the 28-year-old bounced back by striking up a romance with rocker Josh Logan in September (17), and Elle admits she is "proud" of how far she's come from the dark days she suffered in the immediate aftermath of her marital breakdown.
"I pulled myself out of a really, really, really tough place," she told People magazine. "I'm really proud of myself."
Elle credits her newfound happiness to re-evaluating her priorities and the people in her life.
"I don't want to say it's the best place I've ever been because there's always room to go higher - or get higher," she joked. "I am having a lot of fun. I do this thing, I call it protecting my joy, and there's like a 10-foot radius around me that's like a bum-out-free zone. I took a lot of things out of my life that were dead weight, and I just have a different outlook; I just surround myself with better people and just make music all the time. It's just so great; it's awesome."

PHOTO
(30 Oct 2017) Chocolat: Marro/In2une's Fiona Culley stops by CMT to deliver a performance and British chocolates.















Pictured (l-r) are the label's Jamice Jennings, CMT's Kaitlyn Russell, Hannah Moy and Stacey Cato, Culley and CMT's Jen Danielson, Leeanne Lisk and Jen Morrison

(1 Nov 2017) Billboard’s ‘You Should Know’ country duo Smithfield paid tribute to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers at the Opry on Halloween night. Jennifer Fielder and Trey Smith also sang the infamous duet, "Islands in the Stream." 





























BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
November 6: Doug Sahm - (1941; died Nov 18, 1999 (aged 58), Eamon McCann (1955), the late Guy Clark (1941; died May 17, 2016 (aged 74), the late Glenn Frey (Eagles; died Jan 18, 2016 (aged 67) (1946), Stonewall Jackson (1932)
November 8: the late Patti Page (1927; died Jan 1, 2013 (aged 85), Bonnie Raitt (1949), Susie Luchsinger McEntire (1957), Bucky Covington (1977), Lauren Alaina (1994)
November 9: Liv Austen (UK) 
November 10: Donna Fargo (1945), Chris Cagle (1968), Miranda Lambert (1983)
November 11: Narvel Felts (1938), Dave Alvin (1955)
November 12: the late Jo Stafford (1920; died July 16, 2008 (aged 90), Barbara Fairchild (1950) 


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