Tuesday 30 April 2019

New To You: Sister duo Lexanna release new single “Parachute” (Review)


Lexanna - Parachute (Single Review)
Release Date: 26 April 2019
Label: Lexanna Music
Duration: 3:35 minutes
Genres: Country
Writers: Bobby Terry/ASCAP & Jennifer Schott/BMI
Publishers: Almo Music Corp, Jill’s Mad Money Music, Songs From the Southern Crossroads/ ASCAP and Irving Music/BMI 
Songs From The Southern Crossroads is administered by Bluewater Music/Nashville






FAO: Maddie & Tae fans


Lexanna comprise Lexi and Savanna Cummings and are a sister duo hailing from Tampa, FL both attending Lipscomb University in Nashville.

New single "Parachute" is produced and written by Bobby Terry who co-wrote (with M.A.Rossi) the recent Garth Brooks single "Stronger Than Me" (#42 Country Airplay chart peak) which he sang as a tribute to his wife Trisha Yearwood during the 2018 CMA  Awards show.

“Parachute” has been added to the New Music Nashville Spotify playlist

Listeners are immediately drawn in with its softly opening and depicts a place where love is blind, innocent, and strong and no safety net is required. The music ebbs and flows as chances are taken heading into the great unknown of love's journey first flying high but then reality kicks in and with a heavy heart the romance spirals out of control, goes into freefall and hits the ground. After opening her heart in hindsight, she should have prepared herself but lessons of young love are learnt. Living, loving but losing: But I should of used the parachute.

Throughout the mid-tempo track the lead and harmonies are delightful and musically the listener soaks in its dreamy feel, the power and beauty and intimate emotion but the soaring and crunchy guitars portray the tension and vocals radiate both crystal and smoke that finally anchors a sense of reality. The country-pop production is both slick, radio-ready and engaging.
A terrific introduction to Lexanna, free-fall into their music! 

Country Routes News       

ABOUT Lexanna
Genre: Country, Ballad, Pop, Rock
Band Members: Lexi Cummings, Savanna Cummings
Home Town: Brandon, FL
Record Label: Independant
About: A sister duo who has a passion for singing and writing! Currently in Nashville, TN.

Their Story:
From early childhood, sisters Lexi & Savanna Cummings found passion first in singing/writing, then in harmonizing, then in playing instruments. Originally from Brandon, FL, both sisters are now studying music at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.  Rooted in their faith in God, the Lexanna brings a refreshing honesty to the way they examine the human condition and connect with the world around them through music.


On Sept 21, 2018 they self-released a upbeat jazzy bouncy fun single titled "Love, Love, Love" (Amazon | iTunes | Spotify) which points to a crazy relationship with its good and bad vibes! 
Starting from a very romantic sweet standpoint the young lady is serenaded only then to be taken for granted. There are a million reasons to walkaway but in the end the couple will always kiss and makeup!

The tender ballad "Holdin My Breath" followed on Nov 16, 2018 (Amazon | iTunes | Spotify) about feeling alive falling into the ocean of love only to see it vanish like a mere breath of wind. 
The questioning song touches on how a relationship that seemed so good from the get-go sadly ends. Those promises that will never come true are hard to erase but with a vain hope following regrets that it can be rekindled but between the lines the reality is it's over. 

Published on Oct 4, 2018 watch the Official Music Video:

Stats:
Spotify: 3,200 Monthly Listeners
Instagram: 5,424 followers
Facebook: 736 Followers

CONNECT with Lexanna:
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Hootie & The Blowfish add U.K. & Ireland Dates to highly-anticipated Group Therapy Tour


HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH ADD U.K. & IRELAND DATES TO HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED GROUP THERAPY TOUR


Iconic Pop-Rock Band to Appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Wednesday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A month ahead of the highly-anticipated Group Therapy Tour launch, Hootie & the Blowfish announced seven dates throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland this October to follow their 47-date U.S. and Canada run of shows.
May 30, 2019 - Virginia Beach, Va. | Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater to September 13, 2019 - Columbia, S.C. | Colonial Life Arena - Hootie and the Blowfish - Facebook Events
 
The announcement follows a wave of excitement surrounding news of the band’s first full tour in over a decade with forthcoming music under a new record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville. They will celebrate the soon-to-begin tour as part of National Concert Week with a performance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” this Wednesday, May 1.

Hootie & the Blowfish (L to R: Dean Felber, Mark Bryan, Darius Rucker, Jim ‘Soni’ Sonefeld) | Photo Credit: Todd & Chris Owyoung

 
I had the incredible opportunity to play the Royal Albert Hall in London last year, which was a bucket list night for me,” explained frontman Darius Rucker. “The fans there and everywhere else we played in Europe were so special. In talking with all of the guys about how special this year’s tour is going to be, we knew it wouldn’t be complete without a trip back across the pond to see our amazing fans there.”
 
pre-sale for Hootie & the Blowfish email subscribers begins Wednesday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m., as does the O2 Priority pre-sale, with a C2C pre-sale to follow on Thursday, May 2 at 9:00 a.m.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, May 3 at 9:00 a.m. All times are local.
 
Group Therapy UK Tour Dates 

Friday 4 October 2019 -  3Arena, Dublin, Ireland (East Link Bridge, Dublin 1, Ireland)
Ticketmaster UK
Sunday 6 October 2019 - O2 Academy, Bristol (Frogmore Street, BS1 5NA) Ticketmaster UK
Monday 7 October 2019 - O2 Academy, Leeds (55 Cookridge Street, LS23AW) gigsandtours - Event
Wednesday 9 October 2019 - Barrowland, Glasgow (242 the Gallowgate, G4 0TT)
Ticketmaster UK
Saturday 12 October 2019 - Eventim Apollo, London Event
Tuesday 15 October 2019 - O2 Apollo, Manchester (Stockport Road, Manchester, M12 6AP)
Ticketmaster UK
Wednesday 16 October 2019 - O2 Academy, Birmingham (16-18 Horsefair, B1 1DB) Ticketmaster UK


For more information, visit 
www.hootie.com or follow on Facebook @hootieandtheblowfish, Twitter @HootieTweets and Instagram @hootieofficial.

See Related BLOG POST: Hootie & the Blowfish return with 44-City "Group Therapy Tour" + New Music in 2019 on UMG Nashville


PHOTOS: Kip Moore continues sold-out tour with special Cumberland Caverns Show, UK dates in May

KIP MOORE DELIVERS AN UNFORGETTABLE SHOW AT ETHEREAL CUMBERLAND CAVERNS AS HE CONTINUES HIS SOLD-OUT INTERNATIONAL ROOM TO SPARE: ACOUSTIC TOUR
 Photo Credit: Jason Kempin - Getty Images 
























Nashville, TN - April 29, 2019 - Multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore proved why his live show has been heralded as a “unique animal,” (Rolling Stone) delivering an intimate sold-out show at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, TN on Saturday night (4/27). The special night, set inside the ethereal caves, wrapped another weekend of capacity crowds with every show on his headlining Room To Spare: Acoustic Tour selling out to date.
Moore’s impressive streak continues this weekend with full house shows in Boston, MA (5/2), New Brunswick, NJ (5/3), and Burlington, VT (5/4). 

Moore recently unleashed his “galloping” (NPR) new single “The Bull,” taken from his revered third studio album SLOWHEART, that garnered instant praise from critics as the “sound of an uncompromising, genre-defying artist firing on all cylinders,” (NOISEY), as well as spawning his fourth No. One hit “More Girls Like You.” SLOWHEART also landed on multiple “Best Of” lists including Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, UpRoxx, Bobby Bones Show and many more. SLOWHEART follows the acclaim that surrounded Moore’s sophomore album WILD ONES and his PLATINUM debut album UP ALL NIGHT that spawned three No. One hit singles, including GOLD certified “Beer Money,” PLATINUM certified “Hey Pretty Girl,” and the DOUBLE PLATINUM breakout hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck.” 


Photo Credit: Jason Kempin - Getty Images























Moore is currently on his extended ROOM TO SPARE: ACOUSTIC TOUR following a sold-out run last Fall. The stacked tour has shows scheduled in the U.S., Canada and The U.K. where tickets to all four dates of his upcoming U.K. shows in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester sold out within minutes of going on sale. Moore has relentlessly poured his energy into nurturing his international fanbase, with Music Row highlighting “Moore is part of a groundswell of rising country artists with a focus on building their international presence, and with good reason.”

The stacked tour has shows scheduled in the U.S., Canada and The U.K. where tickets to all four dates of his upcoming U.K. shows in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Manchester sold out within minutes of going on sale.

UK DATES
Sunday 26 May 2019 - Manchester Academy 2, Manchester (Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR)
Mon 27 May 2019 - The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow (Candleriggs, G1 1NQ)
Wed 29 May 2019 - Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham (Victoria Square, Birmingham, West Midlands B1 1BD)
Thurs 30 May 2019 - Cadogan Hall, London (5 Sloane Terrace, Chelsea, London SW1X 9DQ)

CONNECT with Kip Moore:
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Monday 29 April 2019

Radio Waves: Radio Presenter Spotlight – SJ Birds “The UK Country Showcase”


Radio Waves: SJ Birds “The UK Country Showcase”

Radio presenter for Golden Grooves Radio, RedroadFM and Country Road Radio.

Producers, researches and curates 6 shows a week.

The UK Country Showcase” – A 3 Hour weekly show highlighting current British Country Music acts.
SJ is a voluntary presenter
Works with Ken Meakin (Country Music Social Media) to help and support UK acts.

RedroadFM Description:
The station with the BIGGEST variety of music! LIVE on 102.4FM (Rotherham & Sheffield), online at redroadfm.com
Twitter: @RedroadFM
Contact: Redroad Studio, Old Colliery Offices, Colliery Road, Kiveton Park, Sheffield, S26 6LR (079 800 969 24)

Broadcasts on Redroad FM (WEBSITE)
WHEN: Sunday 12:00 pm - 15:00 pm: The UK Country Showcase

Online | On Mobile | On Smart Speaker | On 102.4 FM


HOW TO LISTEN
Listen to the show LIVE on Redroad FM Sunday's 12 - 3pm

ON DEMAND: MIXCLOUD (Currently around 30 listens/ week)

CONTACT S.J Birds

Email: studio@redroadfm.com (During show times)

CONNECT with SJ Birds (Simon John Birds): 
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The UK Country Showcase SAMPLE SHOW

Sunday 28 April 2019 PLAYLIST 12-3pm on Redroad FM

SHOWCASE Louise Parker (Listen from 22 mins)
LIVE IN SESSION Maria Jordan (Listen from 1 hour 22 mins) “The fantastically wonderful


2019-04-28 Playlist (Facebook Links)

Gary Quinn (“What a fantastic song that is, a great track”) | Bailey Tomkinson (“Very talented young lady”) | Jade Helliwell | Jessie Mary (“Halve of Hengistbury”) | Katy Hurt (“The fantastic”) | Molly-Anne (“This is beautiful”) | Helena Mace | Lily Garland | Lisa Redford (“You’re going to love the best of UK Country Showcase”) | Zoe Newton (“Isn’t that fantastic”)
Credit Facebook: SJ Birds pictured with UK recording artist Maria Jordan at Redroad Studio, Sheffield on Sunday 28 April 2019

Michael McMillan Music | Steve BonhamLucy Blu (“Absolutely love that”) | Peter DoneganSabineofficialuk (“The EP is just fantastic”)| Gasoline & Matches | Danny McMahon (“There is a beautiful for that, it is stunning”) | The Orange CircusHengistburyElles BaileyTJ Walker “Brand new” | Tennessee Twin (“It is beautiful”) | Dusk BrothersSaskia Vese (Saskia Vese Fans) (“Friend of the show”) | Shannon Hynes Music | Sam CoeKezia Gill



Redroad FM (Profile) in his own words - I (SJ Birds), born Simon John Birds on 6th April 1978 in Barking Hospital, Essex (some say that explains a lot!).
I moved up to Sheffield within the first year of my life and have lived in and around the area ever since. I attended Dobcroft First and Middle schools and then went to High Storrs Secondary School in 1990. My love of the limelight was established early in my life, performing magic shows to family and friends. I also enjoyed putting on a Christmas concert every year, which I took very seriously, from the schedule to how each carol should be sung! During my teenage years I preferred to spend time setting up and messing with various audio setups in my bedroom. In 1993, I produced several demo tapes of a radio show entitled ‘The Big Red Microphone Show’ with my brother, Andrew. The inspiration for the name came from, surprisingly enough, the colour of the microphone! Sadly those tapes have long since bitten the dust!




After the fun and games I had with the mock radio show I decided to apply for a job with Sheffield Childrens Hospital Radio. The demo went in and I was lucky enough to be offered my own show on a Saturday morning from 10am – 12pm.
The show was filled with music and chat with daft news items, competitions, requests and even a celebrity interview with Mitch Johnson of Virgin 1215. It was great fun to do and seemed popular enough with the somewhat captive audience on the wards in the hospital. During this time I also appeared at the Roadshow which took place on Fargate in Sheffield City Centre, raising vital funds to keep the station broadcasting. After 9 months the need to get a ‘proper job’ reared its ugly head and unfortunately I was forced to choose between the two. Sadly the paid job needed to come out on top and that put his career as a DJ on hold, indefinitely.
Over the following 20 years I have worked in the hospitality industry as chef, barman and ultimately manager of a public house. Upon leaving the trade I then worked for a community organisation, providing support and education to adults with learning disabilities. During this time music and entertainment were never far from my mind. I worked with individuals to develop musical performance skills and record a CD at Red Tape studios, Sheffield. From there a talent show was born and the 8 week show, in the style of X-Factor, was presented, produced and directed by SJ.
The show was even made available on DVD, which were purchased by relatives and friends of participants to buy as keepsakes. The years spent in the community and charity sector have given me a broad understanding of all different walks of life and different challenges people face.
Specifically, how the power of music can enhance and change lives for the better.