Building
on the annual sell-out success of the CMA Songwriters Series show in London
during C2C Festival and following the first U.K. tour last autumn during the
inaugural Country Music Week, the Country Music Association’s critically
acclaimed CMA Songwriters Series returns to the U.K. Oct. 16-22.
Hosted
by Chris DeStefano, the lineup also
features Kassi Ashton, Ashley Campbell, and Tenille Townes (Scroll down for artist profiles).
Tickets
are on General sale this Friday,
August 3 at CMASongwritersSeries.com & Ticketmaster UK
Featuring
Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake
White (excluding Stockholm), Charlie
Worshamwith special appearance by Jill Johnson (Stockholm and Oslo).
Johnson is host of the Sveriges Television (SVT) award-winning documentary
series “Jills Veranda Nashville,” which invites Swedish artists to explore
Nashville with Johnson.
October
8, 2018: Nalen, Stockholm, SE -
Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Charlie Worsham, with Special Guest: Jill Johnson
October
9, 2018: Oslo Konserthus, Oslo, NO -
Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake White, Charlie Worsham, with Special
Guest: Jill Johnson
October
11, 2018: Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, DE -
Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake White, Charlie Worsham
October
12, 2018: Zonnehuis, Amsterdam, NL -
Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake White, Charlie Worsham
CMA
Songwriters Series has a track record of launching new artists through its
intimate storytelling format, which allows audiences to get to know the
artists, their journey and the stories behind their songs. The two-hour seated
show features the artists together on stage, taking turns sharing a story
before performing their song acoustically. Each CMA Songwriters Series is
unique—uplifting, amusing and often emotional, leaving audiences feeling closer
to the artists and the music.
The
tour introduces DeStefano, Ashton and Townes to U.K. audiences for the first
time as they join Campbell making her fourth appearance.
“Presenting
this very Nashville experience in an international setting not only makes for a
magical evening, but it truly forges a deeper connection to the music for new
audiences,” said Milly Olykan,
CMA Vice President, International Relations and Development. “The artists on
this tour represent a true cross section of Country Music and we’re honored to
be part of their journey as they build their international base.”
The
tour dates continue to further CMA’s global expansion initiatives. In the U.K.
alone, Country Music streaming is up more than 50 percent this year compared to
2017, where 78 percent of Country fans listen to a greater and more varied
number of Country artists compared to last year, while 80 percent of Country
fans are interested in and seek out more live Country Music shows and events.
Earlier this spring, CMA visited both the U.K. during C2C: Country to Country
festival—where CMA Songwriters Series held a sold-out show at London’s indigo
at The O2—as well as Australia during CMC Rocks QLD festival.
Kassi Ashton
UK! I’m joining the CMA Songwriters Series tour for 5 dates
in October! I’m so excited to come see you!
Kassi Ashton is one of Nashville’s most
compelling rising stars. Signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope
Records, the California, Missouri singer/songwriter has been making a name
for herself thanks to her authentic songwriting and soulful, rich voice. Huffington Post gives Ashton “mad props for her
songwriting and stage presence” while CMT calls her “fearless” and notes “her
point of view is inspired and her storytelling knows no bounds.”
Ashton
recently released her auto-biographical song “California, Missouri,” where she
paints an unconventional portrait of life growing up in her small
town. Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post, The
Tennessean and radio personality Bobby Bones’ “Class of 2018,” she also
caught the attention of Country superstar Keith Urban. Describing her as “such
a unique, original creature,” Urban featured Ashton on his song “Drop
Top” for his latest album Graffiti U. Read
more at KassiAshton.com.
Ashley Campbell
Following in the footsteps of a famous parent
is never an easy path, and Campbell, the daughter of music legend Glen
Campbell, initially pursued dance and acting. But when Campbell was asked to
learn banjo for a part in a play, a spark was lit and her calling was found. Soon Campbell was studying with banjo luminary Carl Jackson (her godfather and
longtime member of Glen’s band) and mastering her technique. She would go on to
join her father’s touring band, including his poignant Goodbye Tour in 2011-12,
and appear in the award-winning 2015 documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.” The family affair continues with the release of her debut album The Lonely One, which was co-produced by Campbell and
her brother Cal Campbell. Campbell’s older brother Shannon Campbell contributes
vocals and guitar in addition to having co-written the track “Looks Like Time”
with her. Read more at AshleyCampbellMusic.com.
Chris DeStefano
Chris DeStefano is a Grammy award-winning
American singer/songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist. The
prolific songwriter has had multiple No. 1 songs with artists Carrie Underwood (“Good Girl,”
“Little Toy Guns”), Billy
Currington (“Hey Girl”), Brett
Eldredge (“Don’t Ya,” which he also produced), Luke Bryan (“That’s My Kind of
Night,” “Kick the Dust Up”), Miranda
Lambert & Carrie Underwood (“Somethin’ Bad,” later reworked as the
opening theme for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football”), Rascal Flatts (“Rewind”) and Jason Aldean (“Just Gettin’
Started”). Underwood’s “Good Girl,” which DeStefano co-wrote, reached No. 1
on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in
2012. He also co-wrote Underwood’s seven-week No.1 song “Something in the
Water.” DeStefano and American songwriter Josh Osborne co-wrote Australian
singer Morgan Evan’s current single
“Kiss Somebody,” which won Country Work of the Year at the APRA Music
Awards in 2018.
Tenille Townes
On Instagram she shares: Ahhhhhhh I’m so excited for this. I’ve been
dreaming of the day that music would find a way to pack my bag for Europe and
this is truly so wild. Thank you so much CMA for this opportunity. I cannot
wait for October!!!
The Canadian-born Townes has the lyrical
fortitude of Griffin or Lori McKenna, the soulful nature of Chris Stapleton or
even Adele, but Townes is paving ground all her own. Working on her debut LP
with Jay Joyce, Townes started her journey to becoming one of Country’s most
promising new artists back in rural Canada,
in the backseat of a car.
Once settled in Nashville, Townes spent her
days songwriting and her nights at guitar pulls or at the Bluebird Cafe,
studying everything she could. Eventually, she scored a publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog and headed into the
studio with Joyce. Together, they tapped into her organic nature and her sheer
ability to tell a story and emote it through the visceral range of her vocals –
tender, bluesy, wise and full of wonder but never naive. Read more at TenilleTownes.com.
Tenille
released her first album, the 13-track REAL
(Royalty Records), in June 2011. She appeared on the national television
show Canada AM in August 2011, performing her single "Real Me", and had
released multiple songs to Canadian country radio. The album reached #13 on the
Soundscan Country chart in its first week and earned Tenille the title of
youngest ever nominee for Female Artist of the Year at the Canadian Country Music Awards. As an up-and-coming the country
artist she was fortunate to land opening slots for well-known acts including
Terri Clark, Easton Corbin, John Landry, Aaron Pritchett, Emerson Drive and
Gord Bamford. She has performed at some of Canada's biggest country music
festivals
She
released her second album, LIGHT, in
March 2013.
As
the youngest recipient in history, Tenille was with the 2012 Slaight Music Humanitarian Award at the
Canadian Country Music Awards in Saskatoon, SK. Also awarded the 2012 Alberta
Country Music Association Award for Female Artist of the Year.
Tenille
was signed to Royalty Records at
seventeen years old and was selected to sing when the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay
went through her hometown.
Tenille's
exceptional songwriting skills aligned her with Nashville SESAC Legacy Award
Winner Stan Webb, and multi JUNO nominated and CCMA Award winners Tim Taylor,
Byron Hill and Troy Kokol. Additionally, Tenille has recorded a song written by
Grammy award winner, Gordie Sampson. One year later working with
Nashville-based Canadian producer Fred Mollin, Tenille released her debut album,
'REAL', in 2011.
On
April 13, 2018 she announced she had signed a record deal with Columbia Nashville.
On
the 23rd June she made her debut at the Grand
Ole Opry (Instagram).
The singer made her Sundance
Film Festival and SXSW debuts and was set to join Devin Dawson, Maren
Morris and Steve Moakler for select tour dates in the
Spring and tapped by Miranda Lambert and Little Big
Town for their co-headlining The Bandwagon Tour (Instagram) in July 2018.
On July
27, Columbia Nashville’s emerging singer-songwriter released“Somebody’s Daughter” (smarturl.it), the lead single
from her forthcoming album produced by Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, Emmylou
Harris, Eric Church). Originally introduced to fans acoustically on Townes’
4-track Living Room Worktapes (
Released April 12, 2018 Amazon UK), “Somebody’s Daughter”
received early critical praise from NPRcalling the track a “humanizing, empathetic
portrait of suffering”. Read more at TenilleTownes.com.
UK & Irish
News, UK Chart News, Album & Single Releases, Country News, TV news, Press
Releases, Gossip, Fashion, Birthdays.
UK & IRISH
News
For a full listing of 2018UK Tour dates PLEASE check out our Tour Dates Page
On the BBC Radio 2 Playlistfor the week commencing Saturday 28 July
2018
A Playlist:
The Shires - Echo
B Playlist:
Catherine McGrath - Lost In The Middle
Ward Thomas - Lie Like Me added to "B"
Playlist
(26 July 2018) The Risingto
release sophomore album MOVING ON August
3rd
Watch the >> official videoRebound
is the first single from The Rising's new album new album Moving (Out
Aug 3rd 2018).
Performance and Signing at HMV Belfast at 17.30 on
August 3rd
"Amazing" - Gaby Roslin, BBC London
"I mentioned Taylor Swift earlier, but this is
even better." - Essentially Pop
"A band that is a going a long way." - Keith Greentree, BBC Norfolk
See BLOG Post (4
June 2018) Chris Country gives The Rising's Rebound its first spin! Check it
out now at Lyric Magazine!
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top
100 Singles Chart(Week Ending 2
August 2018)
27 July 2018 - 02 August 2018
Drake is No.1 for the 28th time in his career,
the 12th time in 2018 and the second
time in a row, with In My Feelings upping the ante again, its consumption increased
4.29% week-on-week to 94,787 units. George Ezra’s former No.1, Shotgun, is
runner-up for the third week in a row, and also sees its consumption rise to a
personal best of 83,051.
Official UK Top
100 Albums Chart(Week Ending
2 August 2018)
27 July 2018 - 02 August 2018
Here We Go Again: Not for the first time, the nation
is in a state of Abbamania, with the
cinematic release of Mamma Mia! Here
We Go Again propelling the Motion Picture Cast Recording 4-1 on the artist album chart (34,661 pure sales (7,618 downloads +
4,550 sales-equivalent streams + Physicals 22,493), including 4,550 from
sales-equivalent streams), while the original Mamma Mia! soundtrack, released a
decade ago, surged 13-5 (9,568 sales) and Abba’s Gold: Greatest Hits leaps 19-7
(6,759 sales).
It is the highest chart position yet on the artist
album chart for Mamma Mia!, which was No.1 on the compilation chart in 2008,
but has only just had its chart eligibility reassigned to the artist album
chart.
Kylie Minoguewith GOLDEN
rose 81-74 (1,000 estimated units)
in her 16th chart frame.
Official UK
Country Album Top 20(Week Ending
2 August 2018)
27 July 2018 - 02 August 2018
The Shires with ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE held at #1
(14 weeks; #1 peak)
Kacey Musgraves with GOLDEN HOUR held at #2 (17 weeks; #1
peak)
John Prine with THE TREE OF FORGIVENESS held at #3
(15 weeks; #2 peak)
Lori McKenna with THE TREE made a debut at No.4
Luke Combs with THIS ONE'S FOR YOU TOO held at #5 (8
weeks; #5 peak)
Willie Nelson With LAST MAN STANDING fell 4-6 (13 weeks;
#2 peak)
Wandering Hearts with WILD SILENCE rose 11-7 (24 weeks; #1
peak)
Brothers Osborne with PORT SAINT JOE fell 7-8 (14 weeks; #2
peak)
Sugarland with BIGGER held at #9 (7 weeks; #2 peak)
Chris Stapleton with FROM A ROOM - VOL 1 rose 12-10 (64
weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Chris Stapleton with FROM A ROOM - VOL 2 climbed 17-11 (34
weeks; #1 peak)
Dan + Shay with DAN + SHAY fell 6-12 (5 weeks; #2 peak)
Gretchen Peters with DANCING WITH THE BEAST fell 10-13 (10
weeks; #2 peak)
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of
The Real with
NELSON/PROMISE OF THE REAL fell 8-17 (11 weeks; #8 peak)
Official
Americana AlbumsChart Top 40 (Week Ending
2 August 2018)
27 July 2018 - 02 August 2018
1 3 From The Fires Greta Van Fleet [Tagged Rock]
2 5 Ruins First
Aid Kit [Tagged Alternative]
3 1 All That Reckoning Cowboy Junkies
4 4 God's Favourite Customer Father John Misty [Tagged Alternative]
5 6 Blow Your Mind Wilko Johnson [Tagged Rock]
6 8 Be More Kind Frank
Turner [Tagged Alternative]
7 2 Back Roads And Abandoned Motels The Jayhawks [Tagged Rock]
8 NEW The Tree Lori
McKenna [Tagged Singer-Songwriter]
9 NEW All Ashore Punch
Brothers [Tagged Singer-Songwriter]
10 11 The Blues Is Alive And Well Buddy Guy [Tagged Blues]
Outside The Top 10
13 10 New Our Country - Americana Act 2 Ray Davies [Tagged Rock]
14 NEW Earthly Days William Prince [Tagged Alternative]
23 7 Sculptor Luluc
[Tagged Singer-Songwriter]
34 9 The Tree of Forgiveness John Prine [Tagged Singer-Songwriter]
COUNTRY ALBUM
& SINGLES RELEASES
(27 July 2018) Kenny
Chesney - Songs For The Saints (Blue Chair/Warner Bros./WEA)
Debut: #3 UK Country iTunes Chart (#52
all-genres) | Debut: #1 US Country iTunes Chart (#1 US all-genres)
Co-produced with Buddy Cannon, Chesney’s 17th studio
album features 12 songs, five of which he wrote, and is his Blue Chair/Warner
Bros. Nashville debut. Proceeds will benefit his Love for Love City Foundation,
which raises money for US and British Virgin Islands victims of Hurricanes Irma
and Maria.
(27 July 2018) Catherine
McGrath - Talk Of This Town (2018 Warner Bros Records) UK
Debut: #1UK Country iTunes Chart (#6
all-genres) Mon 30 July: #1 (#10 all-genres), Tues July 31 #1 (#15 all-genres)
| Debut: #16US Country iTunes Chart (#108 all-genres), then #15 (#104 US
all-genres) | Mon July 30: #45 US Country iTunes Chart (#235 US all-genres)
Lost in the Middle #1 UK Country iTunes Singles (#200 UK iTunes
all-genres)
Catherine McGrath shared: CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S FINALLY
HAPPENING and I’m saying this... My first ever album, ‘Talk Of This Town’ is
out right now and this is probably up there with the coolest days of my life.
If you bought this album you have no idea how much it means to me that you care
about my songs, and if you haven’t got it yet, you can buy it here! Thanks so
much to everyone who made this album possible
(27 July 2018) Nashville
Cast - The Music of Nashville Original Soundtrack Season 6 Volume 2
The final soundtrack for CMT-TV's "Nashville"
is set to be released on Friday, July 27th. The project will feature 16 tracks
from the show's sixth season, with several cast members contributing their
voices to both the recording a songwriting credits. Included on the soundtrack
are "The Giver," "Going Electric," "Free," and
several others.
"NASHVILLE" first aired in 2012 on ABC-TV
and premiered its final episode on Thursday, July 26th on CMT-TV.
(27 July 2018) Kirsty
Lee Akers - Under My Skin (Social Family Records) AUS
Hawks and Doves’ new release From a White Hotel
(Julian Records) is a powerful album. Kasey Anderson has one of those
reassuring, confident, gravelly voices that compels you to follow his lead,
like he’s the Pied Piper. With his new
orientation in this pseudonymous band Hawks and Doves – with Ben Landsverk,
Jesse Moffat, and the album produced by Jordan Richter — fans will find his
unmistakable musical signature.....Americana Highways.org
(27 July 2018) Philip
Marino - Chasing Ghosts (2018 Philip Marino)
Philip Marino is an American living in England,
influenced at a young age by the likes of John Mellencamp, Jim Croce, Cat
Stevens, Neil Young, and Bob Dylan. Philip's music has been heard on BBC Radio,
and he has gigged throughout the east of England. https://www.facebook.com/philipmarinomusic/
(1,211 Likes)
(27 July 2018) Felix
Truvere - Learn to Be (Felix Truvere)
Home Town: San Antonio, TX | Record Label: Independent
Felix Truvere’s Texas Country Music is originated,
recorded, mixed, & mastered in LOCAL Texas studios with our Texas musician
colleagues! https://www.facebook.com/FelixTruvereBand/
(3,774 Likes)
Singer/songwriter from NC trying to make a name for
himself in Nashville. His sound is described as "a unique blend of country
and R&B". https://www.facebook.com/trentglissonmusic/
(3,317 Likes)
(27 July 2018) Ward
Thomas - Lie Like Me (Acoustic) - Single (2018 WTW Music Ltd/ Sony Music
Entertainment UK) UK
Platinum-selling band, Parmalee announces its
Hotdamalama Remixes EP, a compilation of five versions of the band of brothers'
summer jam, "Hotdamalama." The EP offers three EDM reimaginations of
the track from top touring DJ/remixer/producer Dee Jay Silver, DJ DU as well as
Parmalee's own Barry Knox in addition to a "Roll Tide Remix," sure to
delight Alabama fans come football season.
(30 July 2018) Katy
Hurt - See Ya Later (Single; 2018 Katy Hurt) UK
Debut: #120 UK Country iTunes Single chart, then #87, then #63, then #66, then #51, then #44, then
#42 | July 31: #59
BLUEGRASS NEWS
(25 July 2018) Ricky Skaggs To Be Inducted Into Bluegrass
Music Hall Of Fame
GRAMMY Award-winning Country artist Ricky Skaggshas been announced as a Bluegrass Music Hall Of Fame Class Of 2018 inductee by the
International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA). Skaggs is set to be inducted on
Thursday, September 27th in RALEIGH, NC at the International Bluegrass Music
Awards show, which will broadcast live beginning at 7p (ET) via SIRIUSXM's
"Bluegrass Junction" channel.
(25 July 2018) 2018 IBMA Award nominees announced
At a press conference, on morning of Wednesday July
25th in Nashville, the International Bluegrass Music Association announced the
final nominees for their 2018 International Bluegrass Music Awards, along with
this year’s Hall Of Fame Inductees and Distinguished Achievement Award
recipients.
The winners will be announced during a gala awards
presentation on September 27 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts
in Raleigh, NC. Tickets are available now online.
(29 July 2018) Balsam Range drop second summer single,
"Hobo Blues" on July 27
There is a deep tradition in Bluegrass of performing
Southern blues ballads with Bluegrass instrumentation, and no one can do it
better than the award-winning Balsam Range. With lead vocals from guitarist
Caleb Smith, "Hobo Blues" (Mountain Home Music Company | Amazon UK - UK iTunes)
written by Ray LaMontagne, is a cross-picked stroll
through lonesome lyrics and a sad story of a down-on-his-luck character singing
through his hardships. "I don't
know whose life you're living, but it sure ain't mine," he sings — a
lament about a life misled.
Haunting dobro from Tim Surrett, harmonies from Buddy
Melton and feathering mandolin from Darren Nicholson supply the dark mood to
"Hobo Blues" that leaves you listening hard to this unexpected
heartfelt Balsam Range song.
Balsam Range, formed in 2007, has become one of the
genre’s most award-winning acts in recent years, garnering 10 International
Bluegrass Media Association Awards on the heels of six critically-acclaimed
albums. The group has left audiences spellbound while headlining major
festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple
appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.
NEWS
(24 July 2018) Platinum Producer Michael Knox launches New
label imprint with BMG
Michael Knoxmay best be known as the longtime production partner
with Jason Aldean but he’s also produced songs for Thomas Rhett, Ludacris,
Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Michael Tyler and songs featuring Eric Church, Kelly
Clarkson and Miranda Lambert along with being one of the best A&R song guys
in Nashville via his role as one of the most respected publishing executives
(currently as the Vice President of peermusic Group in Nashville. Combined, his
projects have yielded 21 No.1s, and 40 million singles and 18 million albums
sold, according to BMG.
Knox has teamed
with BMG USA to launch his new label Music
Knox Records to actively develop, sign and release music from up-and-coming
artists.
(24 July 2018) Ray Stevens, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely To Receive
Stars On The Music City Walk Of Fame
Country legends Ray Stevens, Brenda Lee, and Jeannie Seelywill be joined by NASHVILLE-based Pop artist Ben
Folds as the four newest inductees to the Music
City Walk Of Fame. The official induction ceremony will be held on Tuesday,
August 21st at 11:30a (CT) at the Music City Walk Of Fame Park in downtown
NASHVILLE. The event is free and open to the public. The inductees will receive
the 81st, 82nd, 83rd, and 84th stars on the Music City Walk Of Fame.
(25 July 2018) Hear Gloriana Singer Rachel Reinert's First
Solo Effort, 'Cool' [Exclusive Premiere]
Rachel Reinerthas dreamed of introducing her brand of California
country to fans for more than a decade. "Cool" is the former
Gloriana singer's first bow, and if you're time-warped to an era when Stevie
Nicks and Linda Ronstadt ruled their respective radio formats, you're picking
up the right vibes.
The Laurel Canyon (California) inspired single — heard first exclusive on Taste of
Country — is the sound Reinert brought with her when she moved to Nashville 13
years ago.
(26 July 2018) Dolly Parton is reuniting with Jane Fonda
and Lily Tomlin for a sequel to their smash 1980 movie hit, 9 to 5.
According to the Today show,
Fonda confirmed the news on Wednesday (July 25) at a Television Critics
Association press event, telling reporters, “Right now, Dolly, Lily and I are
all intending to be in it."
The news comes just months after speculation about a
possible sequel began to spread, after movie studio 20th Century Fox reportedly
said it was interested in asking Angie Tribeca star Rashida Jones to collaborate
on a script for a sequel with 9 to 5 screenwriter Patricia Resnick.
(30 July 2018) Luke Bryan Makes History as First Country
Artist to Play L.A.’s Dodger Stadium
Luke Bryanis no stranger to playing in Los Angeles. The
superstar and American Idol judge has rocked crowds over the years at many of
L.A.'s iconic venues, including the Hollywood Bowl, Staples Center, the Forum,
and Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre in neighboring Orange County.
However, he got to make a piece of L.A. history on
Saturday night (July 28), when he played at one of the city's most beloved
institutions—Dodger Stadium. Although the baseball stadium has hosted scores of
concerts over the years, Bryan's performance, part of his What Makes You
Country XL Tour, marks the first time a country artist has played there.
Luke Bryan Receives Eight BMI 'Million-Air Awards,' Is
The First Country Act To Headline Dodger Stadium
Luke Bryanwas presented with eight "Million-Air Awards" by BMI at his show at DODGER STADIUM in
LOS ANGELES on Saturday night (July 28). The awards honor several of Bryan’s
songs hitting one million U.S. broadcast performances, including "Move"
(1 million); "Fast" (1 million); "Huntin', Fishin' And Lovin' Every
Day" (1 million); "I See You" (2 Million); "Someone
Else Calling You Baby" (2 million); "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye"
(2 million); "This Is How We Roll" with Florida Georgia Line (2
million); and Billy Currington's hit -- which Bryan wrote -- "Good
Directions" (4 million).
Roger Dodger: BMI presents Capitol's Luke Bryan with
eight Million Air Awards before his show at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles
Saturday (7/28). Pictured (l-r) are BMI’s Mason Hunter and David Preston,
Bryan, BMI’s Leslie Roberts and KPE's Kerri Edwards. TV
(25 July 2018) Ashley McBryde Brings Her “American Scandal”
To NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
The career ascension continues for the artist that
Rolling Stone calls “one of the most exciting new voices in country music,” as
country newcomer Ashley McBryde made her debut on NBC’s “The Tonight Show
Starring Jimmy Fallon”. Ashley McBrydeperformed
her sultry “American Scandal,” which The Tennessean declares is the
highlight of “one of the strongest country records of the year.”
Fans can catch McBryde’s performance on The Tonight
Show Starring Jimmy Fallon here
MUSIC NEWS
(27 July 2018) Spotify Reports 26% Rise In Q2 Revenues
SPOTIFY has reported financial results for Q2,
commenting, "The quarter was largely in line with our expectations, with
some metrics performing at the high end of our guidance range. We finished the
quarter with 180 million Monthly Active Users and 83 million Premium
Subscribers, up 30% and 40%, respectively." Total Revenue was €1,273 million, up 26% over Q2 2017 and 34% Y/Y
after "adjusting for the negative impact from changes in foreign exchange
rates."
The company wrote, "Our Operating Loss was €90 million, or approximately 7% of Total
Revenue. This includes a €30 million cash expense related to our direct listing
on the NYSE in APRIL and €32 million of accrued social costs for options and
RSUs3 (€24 million more than anticipated in our Q2 guidance as a result of the
strong stock performance in the quarter).
PRESS RELEASES
(24 July 2018) The Americana Music Association® names
Rosanne Cash as its recipient of the 2018 “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech
Award.
In partnership
with the First Amendment Center, the honor will be presented to Rosanne Cashat the
17th annual Americana Honors & Awards, which will take place Wednesday,
September 12 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
Throughout her career, the four-time GRAMMY® Award
winner has consistently used her voice to speak to her truth. As a fearless
advocate and board member of the Content Creators Coalition (C3), she has
endlessly devoted her time and efforts to championing artists’ rights. Her most
high-profile instance took place representing artists and the Americana Music
Association® in 2014 during a testimony before Congress on the issue of
intellectual property rights and digital music licensing.
In addition to actively supporting other musicians,
Cash has also been involved in advocating
against gun violence for almost 20 years as a strong proponent of
organizations like Giffords and Everytown for Gun Safety, among others. The
Americana stalwart has never shied away from speaking her mind on a career
platform she has built over the last four decades with her renowned artistry.
ARTICLES
(26 July 2018) The TimesIs Catherine McGrath
Northern Ireland’s answer to Taylor Swift?
The 21-year-old singer is wowing audiences with a
pop-friendly take on country. We’ve seen that somewhere before
Meeting a hot new country star from the unlikely
environs of Rostrevor in Northern Ireland is one thing. Meeting her entire
extended family at the same time is quite another. I have come to this
beautiful fishing village in Co Down, which provided the inspiration for CS
Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia and where many scenes from Game of Thrones have
been filmed, to speak to Catherine McGrath; a slight, pretty,
unassuming 21-year-old whose pop-friendly take on country music has resulted in
her being hailed
as the new Taylor Swift. (Newspaper Image)
Get to know Amy Wadge, the superstar songwriter behind
BBC Wales' Keeping Faith soundtrack
The Grammy-winning songwriter is back in the limelight
as a performer thanks to her new EP.
While Amy Wadgehas
released seven studio albums across her career, much of her success up to now
has come from her songwriting for other artists. However, it looks like that's
about to change. Amy's latest EP Keeping
Faith is the soundtrack to the TV show of the same name. Filmed in Welsh for
S4C and English for BBC Wales, the drama/thriller was promoted to BBC One this
summer following the highest audiences for a non-network drama shown in Wales
for over twenty years…Read More
(28 July 2018) Can
We All Get Along?
Country Music needs Sam Hunt
and it needs Walker Hayes just as much as it does Margo Price and Joshua Hedley
LYRIC Magazine by James Daykin Podcast:
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?’ Soundcloud
After hearing AJ McLean ‘Back Porch Bottle Service’
played by CMR Nashville CEO Lee Williams (July 27) and then Keith Greentree on
BBC Radio Norfolk (July 28 BBC Page1h 49mins) We tweeted:
AJ McLean ‘Back Porch Bottle Service’ - "That's today's COUNTRY, modern COUNTRY on Rodeo Norfolk (@BBCNorfolk ) - Keith Greentree https://t.co/QJpDsDbFaL
Keith took it all in good spirits with this response:
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line claim the record for the longest-ruling No.1 in the history of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart
Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha, "Meant to
Be" placed at No.1 in their top songs of 2018 Taste Of Country posted: You might be sick of it. "Meant to Be" is a pop hit, a
country hit and one of the bestselling songs of the country decade. We can't
overlook that because some people complain about the country cred. Plus,
there's that one thing about this song: it's more contagious than smiling.
This weekend, Emma Jade will be releasing her debut EP
'Older Now' on Sunday 29th July (the same weekend that Emma will be performing
at FSA festival). Older Now features 4 songs which have such a country feel to
them.
INTERVIEWS
(25 July 2018) Building Our Own NashvilleInterview: The Adelaidesdiscuss
playing an All – Female line up at Cornbury Festival, having Marcus Hummon
write for them and much more
(30 July 2018) Denny StricklandUnveils
Video for "California Dreamin’" >> YouTubeThe tried and true country artist seamlessly pairs his
love for the West Coast with his Arkansas roots to curate a perfect visual for
the current radio hit.
(30 July 2018) Published on Jul 30, 2018 Rachel Wammack ”Damage”
>> YouTube
COUNTRY FASHION
(25 July 2018) Long Hot Summer & Blooming Lovely: UK
Country/Pop singer Jeannine Barryis seen
wearing a ASOS Floral Wallpaper Maxi
Dress with Broderie Trim (Product
1195740; £45.50 >> Video)
This lovely floral print, short sleeves plunge neck
dress has Oh-so-pretty broderie anglaise
trims with a white eyelet pattern which drapes softly over the body
#bohemianstyle #bohodress #bohogirl
Listen to Jeannine's 2016 single "Long Hot
Summer" taken from her EP OFF THE HOOK available on Musicglue.com
(28 July 2018) 2017 BCMA Female vocalist of the Year Jade Helliwellplayed live at Nashville Meets London at Canary
Wharf on Saturday 28 July. Doin’ a Boomerang - Instagram
She wore a MissGuided
purple fringe sequin plunge bodysuit (Product;
£60.00 >>Video)
100% polyester, the purple long sleeve bodysuit features all over sequins, long
fringe detail and cut out choker design.
(28 July 2018) The Adelaides(Paris
Georgia, Alicia Alba, Abi Phillips) performed a full band show (2.45-3.45pm) at
Nashville Meets London at Canary Wharf on Saturday 28 July. Pictured with
Baylen Leonard (Chris Country. Long Road Festival) Instagram
Photo Credit: Mark Cavill (MACPhotographyZ) Facebook
Paris Georgia donned a Vera Black Bohemian Moonstone Feather Headpiece (Product;
£55.00) Centered with a moonstone pendant and draping antique bronze chain and
crystal quartz stone droplets on either side it ties at the back and is
adjustable in size and varies in the way you can wear it. The feather and charm
detailed ties can also be used to braid through your hair to create that
perfect bohemian look.
She add chunky caged booties and a belted v plunge wine/plum sleeveless playsuit (Pretty
Little Thing) with all-over embroidered pattern with slight
scalloped and fringed detailing at the hem.
Alicia Alba sported a groovin’; Vera Black Midnight Sky Fedora (Product;
£120.00). She added a white top, burgundy tassel Shawl Wrap, denim shorts and
fawn booties.
Abi Phillips wore a Vera Black Purple Haze Fedora (Product;
£120.00) which is a cool, undeniable rock n roll statement piece. She added a
belted denim mini dress, burgundy top and lightweight black/ purple floral
design playsuit top and platform booties
Watch the Vera Black (254 Whitton Dene TW7 7LU London,
United Kingdom) 2018 summer festival fashion video, starring The Adelaides!
(28 July 2018) Taylor Swiftgave
local authorities in Weymouth, Massachusetts a morale boost following the loss of a police officer by donating
hundreds of tickets for her Thursday night (26 July 2018) concert.
Weymouth Mayor Robert Hedlund reveals the Blank Space
hitmaker sent emergency service officials
"a significant number of tickets" for the first show in her
three-night run at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts to try and
lift their spirits after learning of the tragic death of Sergeant Michael
Chesna.
The officer was shot and killed after arriving at the
scene of a car crash on 15 July (18). The suspect is also accused of killing a
female bystander.
It's not known exactly how many tickets Swift gave to
first responders, but Hedlund explains the bundle had more than enough for the
local forces, and extras were shared among other nearby police departments.
"My understanding is that they did it low-key and
weren't looking for publicity," Hedlund told The Patriot Ledger.
"There were enough to send every police officer, firefighter and extended
family to the concert, and then some."
Thanking Swift for the kind thought on behalf of the
town, he added, "The gesture was absolutely generous, significant and
appreciated."
PHOTO
(26 July 2018) Fair Enough: Jo Dee Messina (c) with
WQXK/Youngstown, OH's John Crenshaw and Lisa Rossow at the Carroll County Fair
Saturday (July 21).
(27 July 2018) Do I Feel Lucky? Well, Do Ya, Monk? Sylvia
with SiriusXM's Charlie Monk.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
July 30: Neal McCoy (1958)
July 31: Heather Myles (1962), the late Bonnie
Brown (The Browns July 31, 1937; died July 16, 2016 (aged 77)), Chad Brock (1963), Zac Brown (1978)
Aug 1: Cindy Burch (Burch Sisters) (1963), George Ducas (1966), Frankie
Davies (Jersey)
Aug 2: the late Hank Cochran (Aug 2, 1935; died July 15, 2010 (aged 74))
Aug 3: Mick Flavin (1950), the late Randy
Scruggs (Aug 3, 1953; died April 17, 2018 (aged 64)), Whitney Duncan (Post Monroe, 1984)
Aug 5: Mark
O'Connor (1961), the late Vern
Gosdin (Aug 5, 1934; died April 28, 2009 (aged 74)), Sammi Smith (1943), Terri
Clark (1968), Bobby Braddock
(1940), Carolynne
Poole (UK; 1980)
