Country
Bites News snippets April 8, 2019 – April 14, 2019
UK News, UK Chart
News, Album & Single Releases, US News, Music News, Interviews, Videos, Birthdays,
R.I.P
BREAKING NEWS
Country News – April 17, 2019
with Shannon McCombs
UK NEWS
On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist
for the week commencing Saturday 13 April 2019
C Playlist
Kiefer Sutherland - Something You Love
(10 April 2019) Phil
Mack (CEO Keep It Country TV) announced the very first Memory Lane CD now live & available to buy! Fans of the show
can now enjoy some of their favourite hits from 50s & 60s as seen on the
No.1 show 'Memory Lane' exclusively aired only on Keep It Country TV. Visit https://lumioffers.com/ to get a
copy, price £12.99 #50s #60s #70s
#Nostalgia #MemoryLane #KICTV | Release Date: 25th April 2019
(12 April 2019) Ward Thomas Release New Single ‘One More
Goodbye’
The Hampshire twins Ward Thomas have just wrapped
their biggest headline UK tour to date which saw them perform to over 10,000
fans across the country.
2019 has also
seen the multi-talented singer/songwriters pick up the coveted CMA Jeff Walker Global Artist Award
presented to them by CAM at the C2C songwriters Nights in recognition of them
bringing Country Music to a wider audience.
Ward Thomas are jetting off to Australia to support David Gray on his tour, before they
head off to Europe in May for a string of dates supporting vocal powerhouse Jack Savoretti. The 25-year-old sisters
then have a packed summer ahead of them with a number of Festival dates already
penciled in.
But before the jet off across the world showcasing their stunning sibling harmonies to a new and wider fanbase across the globe, the girls have released their brand new single; ‘One More Goodbye’. This track is the latest to be lifted off the ‘Restless Minds’ record and was a song that was penned several years ago. Fans first got to hear it in 2017 during their Christmas show in Guildford.We are here in the airport about to fly to AUSTRALIA... AND ONE MORE GOODBYE is out as the new single!!! So it was only too perfect to do an awkward and uncomfortable social media video to tie the two together!! We hope you like the song 🥰 🇬🇧✈️🇦🇺 https://t.co/KWyRiDY3Jj pic.twitter.com/Rh6HPueJ2q— Ward Thomas (@wardthomasmusic) 12 April 2019
(12 April 2019) Ferris
& Sylvester released their brand Folk/Rock tagged new single ‘Flying
Visit’ on April 12.
Regarding the single Ferris & Sylvester say, “Quite simply, it’s a love song. It’s all the things that we often want to say - ‘I love you, please don’t leave me’ - but we stop ourselves because we’re grown up and grown-ups don’t do that. Children are much better at speaking their minds and that’s what inspired this song – unaffected and unashamed love.”
Additionally, Ferris & Sylvester launched an exclusive flame red 12” vinyl for Record Store Day (April 13th), which features a wonderfully stark stripped down demo version of ‘Flying Visit’. See BLOG Ferris & Sylvester announce exclusive Record Store Day release BLOG POST
(12 April 2019) East
Anglian rock / Americana collective Morganway have released their second single ‘Hurricane’,
taken from their upcoming self-titled debut album due this summer.
"One of the most exciting prospects to appear on
the scene” - Building Your Own Nashville
Tagged "Rock" ‘Hurricane’ (iTunes) was
one of the first tracks written by the band (writers: Yvette Barwood, Callum
Morgan, Kieran Morgan & George
Nicholson), and has become the staple show closer, “It’s been with us pretty
much since the beginning. We tend to end every show with it, and each time it’s
a little different” Callum Morgan comments.
The version presented on record captures that raw spontaneity, and has the signature crunchy guitars, roaring vocals and marriage of melody, harmony and pulse-pounding rhythm that has charmed live audiences around the UK, “The bulk of it was recorded live, with minimal overdubs. We also changed its key at the last minute, and suddenly there was a newfound urgency to the song that I think was always missing when we’d attempted to record it before. SJ did her lead vocals late at night, with all the main studio lights dimmed to create an almost eerie atmosphere, and she gave the most ferocious vocal take we’d heard from her.”, added Callum. Mirroring the song’s music video, its lyrics account a tale of conflicts of intimacy. Left up to the listener to interoperate what that means, or what kind of relationship the song is talking about. Stream / download Hurricane Here. Watch the video on >> YouTube
The version presented on record captures that raw spontaneity, and has the signature crunchy guitars, roaring vocals and marriage of melody, harmony and pulse-pounding rhythm that has charmed live audiences around the UK, “The bulk of it was recorded live, with minimal overdubs. We also changed its key at the last minute, and suddenly there was a newfound urgency to the song that I think was always missing when we’d attempted to record it before. SJ did her lead vocals late at night, with all the main studio lights dimmed to create an almost eerie atmosphere, and she gave the most ferocious vocal take we’d heard from her.”, added Callum. Mirroring the song’s music video, its lyrics account a tale of conflicts of intimacy. Left up to the listener to interoperate what that means, or what kind of relationship the song is talking about. Stream / download Hurricane Here. Watch the video on >> YouTube
(17 April 2019) Two of the fan favourites from Liv Austen’s album, DETOUR and Whole Heart, will be available on
limited edition vinyl and to stream/download on May 17th.
If you have
already heard Liv Asten's tearjerkers "Detour" and "Whole
Heart" on her Oct 19, 2018 released album A Moment Of Your Time, you will
know what we mean. The two tracks - written entirely by Liv - describe two
different time periods in her life dealing with the same issue. They display
vulnerability, heartbreak and strength all at the same time.
Now the single edits of these two songs, remixed and
remastered, will soon appear wherever you get your music. May 17th to be exact.
The two songs will also be available on a limited edition 7" double A side
vinyl, available exclusively at Liv's shows and through her website. The songs are being
serviced to radio - make sure to request on your favourite station! More here
UK TOUR & GIG
UPDATES:
April updates: The Abrams (May),Katy
Hurt (Apr-May), Live In The Living Room's Little
PizzaExpress Tour (April), Danny McMahon (April), Sabine (April), Callaghan (June), Edwina
Hayes (April-June), FSA Festival 2019 (July), Helena
Mace (April-June), Jake Morrell (April -June), Philippa
Hanna (April), Nashville Meets London (July)
Ashley
McBryde (Sept-Oct 2019) ** TICKETS **
Brad
Paisley (Oct London & Dublin) ** TICKETS **
Carrie
Underwood (June-July 2019) ** TICKETS **
Cassadee
Pope (May 2019) ** TICKETS **
Charles
Esten + The Adelaides (Oct 2019) ** TICKETS **
Chris
Young + Lindsay Ell (May 2019) ** TICKETS **
First Aid
Kit (May-June 2019) ** TICKETS **
Kip Moore (May
2019) ** TICKETS **
Lanco (May
2019) ** TICKETS **
Lauren
Alaina (July 2019) ** TICKETS **
Maren
Morris (May 2019) ** TICKETS **
Midland (Dec 2019)
** TICKETS **
Morgan
Evans (Septl 2019) ** TICKETS **
Old Dominion
& Jordan Davis (Oct 2019) ** TICKETS **
Patty
Griffin (May 2019) ** TICKETS **
The Devil
Makes Three (April 2019) ** TICKETS **
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top
100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 18 April 2019)
12 April 2019 - 18 April 2019
Lewis Capaldi kept his place at the top of the charts
with “Someone You Loved”, denying Lil Nas X the Number 1 spot with his viral hit “Old Town Road”.
Someone You Loved logs 69,000 combined sales this week,
including 8.16 million streams, to score a seventh week at the top of the
Official Singles Chart. Lewis now has one of the longest-running Number 1
singles for a Scottish act in the UK - third behind Wet Wet Wet's Love Is All
Around (15 weeks) and Calvin Harris's One Kiss ft. Dua Lipa (8 weeks). Look
back at every Number 1 single in UK chart history here.
It means Lil Nas X (62,975 units) had to settle for
second place with Old Town Road The hip-hop-meets-country song (tagged Hip-Hop/Rap),
which went viral thanks to the 'Yeehaw Challenge' meme where people film
themselves transforming into cowboys, vaulted 37 places to Number 2.
Viral hit Old
Town Road was on track to make a big climb on the week's Official Singles
Chart. The track made its UK Top 40 debut the previous Friday at Number 39 and
surged in popularity over the weekend pushing up 35 places to Number 4 on
Official Chart Update (April 8).
Atlanta rapper Lil Nas X - or Montero Hill to his
mates - first found fame as an internet personality on Twitter through his Nicki
Minaj fan account @NasMaraj and more recently @FactsAboutNM and @viewsfromnas.
He then began making music, releasing Old Town Road last December. The song is
an unusual blend of modern hip hop and banjo-led country music.
The track went viral in early 2019 thanks to the
'Yeehaw Challenge' meme >> on video social media app TikTok. People film themselves
transforming into cowboys and cowgirls after drinking a bottle of 'yee juice',
mostly set to Lil Nas X's song.
Official UK Top
100 Albums Chart
(Week Ending 18 April 2019)
12 April 2019 - 18 April 2019
Leadership of the album chart is unchanged this week,
with 17-year-old singer/songwriter Billie
Eilish’s WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? remaining in pole
position despite a 50.46% dip in second week consumption to 23,982 units,
including 16,922 from sales-equivalent streams + 7,060 in pure-sales.
Official UK
Country Album Top 20 (Week Ending 18 April
2019)
12 April 2019 - 18 April 2019
Steve Earle & The Dukes with GUY held at No.1
Francis Rossi & Hannah
Rickard with WE TALK TOO
MUCH held at No.2 (4 weeks; #1 peak)
Reba McEntire with STRONGER THAN THE TRUTH made a debut
at No.3
George Strait with HONKY TONK TIME MACHINE held at No.4
(2 weeks; #4 peak)
Wandering Hearts with WILD SILENCE fell 3-5 (54 weeks; #1
peak)
Molly Tuttle with WHEN YOU'RE READY made a debut at
No.6
Son Volt with UNION rose 8-7 (2 weeks; #7 peak)
Brooks & Dunn with REBOOT made a debut at No.8
Ward Thomas with RESTLESS MINDS fell 5-9 (9 weeks; #1
peak)
Maren Morris with GIRL fell 7-10 (5 weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Keith Urban with GRAFFITI U fell 6-11 (16 weeks; #2
peak)
Carrie Underwood with CRY PRETTY fell 10-12 (30 weeks; #1
peak)
Yola with WALK THROUGH FIRE fell 9-13 (7 weeks;
#1 peak)
Ashley McBryde with GIRL GOING NOWHERE fell 12-14 (34
weeks; #3 peak)
Official
Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 18 April 2019)
12 April 2019 - 18 April 2019
Weyes Blood with TITANIC RISING (SUB POP) made a debut
at #1, Lissie with WHEN I'M ALONE -
THE PIANO RETROSPECTIVE (Cooking Vinyl) arrived at No.2 and Molly Tuttle with WHEN YOU'RE READY
(Compass) made a bow at No.4
COUNTRY ALBUM
& SINGLES RELEASES
(12 April 2019) Danni
Nicholls - The Melted Morning (Horton Records) UK
11 Tracks/ Time: 49:06 UK iTunes
The album release show took place on Fri 12 April 2019
at legendary venue The Water Rats, London with special guest Jess Morgan
“a polished dark gem” Americana UK
“a stunning piece of work” Maverick Magazine 5/5
“this stunning collection of tunes will resonate deep”
- Three Chords and the Truth
"It's really lovely" - Marie Crichton BBC
Radio Shropshire BBC Playlist
"This album is more soft/rock than country -
overall this felt like a collection of demos for Bonnie Tyler" Country Music People 3.1/2 stars
Spencer Leigh
“an album that deserves, no, needs, to be heard” - Fatea
(12 April 2019) Aaron
Lewis - State I’m In (Valory)
10 Tracks/ Time: 40:19 Amazon
UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #2 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#82 UK iTunes
all-genres) | Debut # US Country iTunes Album Chart | | Debut #1 US Country
iTunes Album Chart (#1 US iTunes all-genres)
Produced by Buddy Cannon, the follow-up to 2016’s
Sinner features 10 songs, including six Lewis wrote or co-wrote and a recording
of Jim Elliot and the late Keith Whitley’s “Burnt the Sawmill Down.”
Aaron Lewis speaks his mind and that candidness has
maintained a loyal fanbase for over 20 years. The deep tales and personal
lyrics funnel throughout his third solo Country album, STATE I’M IN (The Valory
Music Co.)
(12 April 2019) Leaving
Austin - Southern Gold (EP)
6 Tracks UK iTunes
Debut: #58 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#227 US
iTunes all-genres)
On March 13th SEA GAYLE MUSIC/BMG NASHVILLE signed
Country trio Leaving Austin under a new worldwide co-publishing deal. Leaving
Austin Southern Gold (BMG/Sea Gayle) The trio (Austin Machado, Davis Forney and
Michael Stevens) co-penned all six songs featured on their debut BMG/Sea Gayle
EP, including singles “Nothing But You” and “Into It.”
(12 April 2018) Sara
Evans - The Barker Family Band (EP; Born To Fly Records)
6 Tracks/ Time: 19:07 Amazon
UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut: #6 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#275 UK
iTunes all-genres), then #16 | Debut #18 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#69 US
iTunes all-genres)
Multi-platinum entertainer Sara Evans's side-project,
The Barker Family Band, with daughter Olivia Barker (16) and son Avery Barker
(19), dropped on all digital partners at saraevans.co/TheBarkerFamilyBand. The
6-song EP offers a snapshot of this moment in time for the family and showcases
mesmerizing harmonies on original songs and covers including Beyonce's
"XO, " - spinning on Radio Disney Country - and Fleetwood Mac’s
“Dreams” – spinning on SiriusXM’s
Y2Kountry. Watch the People.com
exclusive premiere of the “Dreams” lyric video HERE. The family focused project
showcases Sara and Olivia trading-off lead vocals and harmonies throughout the
project while Avery played acoustic and electric guitar on the tracks. The
project is co-produced by Sara and Ben Fowler.
(12 April 2018) Amanda
Cook - Point Of No Return (Mountain Fever Records)
Point of No Return. The album and its title track
represent where Amanda is in her career. She’s come too far and loves it too
much, there’s no turning back – she’s at the Point Of No Return. Point Of No Return" >> YouTube
(12 April 2018) Spencer
Crandall - More
Debut: #21 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#638 UK
iTunes all-genres) | Debut #14 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#57 US iTunes all-genres)
(12 April 2018) Mary
Duff - Turn Back the Years (Rosette Records)
Debut: #54 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (# UK iTunes
all-genres), then #18 (#788 UK
iTunes all-genres)
(13 April 2019) Kip
Moore - Room To Spare Vinyl (MCA)
The Record Store Day release includes seven tracks
that were featured on his Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions, as well as five
additional songs from previous studio albums, including “Plead The Fifth,”
“Last Shot” and “The Bull.”
(12 April 2018) Emily
Eleton - Walking
6 Tracks/ Time: Country Folk
(12 April 2019) Dakota
Rhodes - I Am (EP)
5 Tracks/ Time: 18:22 Amazon
UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Dakota Rhodes is a 21-year-old Country
singer/songwriter. Playing guitar since she was 12, Dakota started writing her
own songs. She taught herself how to play the guitar, piano, banjo, ukulele,
mandolin, and has taken on the role of helping to co-produce her own songs.
Dakota’s music is influenced by Country artists like Carly Pearce, Raelynn,
Maren Morris, etc. Her debut single 'My Mama Knows' released Oct 5, 2018
(iTunes)
(12 April 2019) Audrey
Collins - The First Beat (EP; Audrey Collins)
5 Tracks/ Time: 16:26 Amazon
UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
This young, fresh Country/Pop collection sings three
"jammers to listen to with the windows rolled down", one "cuddle
up with your lover" mood setting song, and one ballad about lost dreams.
Remember early Taylor Swift.
(12 April 2018) Eleri
Angharad - Earthbound (Train Track Records) UK
(12 April 2018) Emily
Eleton - Walking (EP)
6 Tracks/ Time: Country: Country Folk
Emily Eleton was born in upstate NY. She has lived in
the Midwest, the mountains of California, and North Carolina. She has lived,
learned and broken herself open to her painful and beautiful life experiences.
Vulnerable and raw, she deposits life’s beautiful heartbreak and triumph into
each song, note and hum.
(12 April 2018) Sara
Storer - Raindance (Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd.) AUS
12 Tracks AU iTunes
Debut: #1 AUS Country iTunes Album Chart (#13
AUS iTunes all-genres)
(12 April 2018) Jade
Gibson - The Great Unknown (EP; Jade Gibson Music) AUS
Debut: #4 AUS Country iTunes Album Chart (#33 AUS
iTunes all-genres)
(12 April 2018) Julie
Kember - Million Lives (Julie Kember) AUS
10 Tracks/ Time: Alternative Country UK iTunes -
Debut: #64 AUS Country iTunes Album Chart
(12 April 2019) Seaforth
- Love That (EP; Sony Music Entertainment.)
(12 April 2018) Taylor
Alexander - Good Old Fashioned Pain (Hail Mary Records)
Album Review – Taylor Alexander’s “Good Old Fashioned
Pain”: Extract Completely unsigned and looking for a shot at the
dream, Taylor Alexander and Good Old Fashioned Pain make as good a case as any
for being foisted right to the front of the line from the talent, heart, and
authenticity exhibited. Don’t be surprised if this is a title that makes it to
eventual consideration right beside the small handful of others as one of 2019’s
best. - Two Guns Up! Saving Country Music
"A great great album" - Taff Martin Abbey
104 FM
"Proper country, superb tracks on here" -
Craig Parry Dapper FM
(12 April 2018) Emily
Faye - Sucks To Be You (Single; Emily Faye) UK
Debut #3 UK
Country iTunes Album Chart (#270 UK iTunes all-genres), then #5 | Sun 14 April:
#41
(12 April 2018) Sabine - Love Is Not Enough (Single; Sabine and Puzzlemaker Studios Ltd) UK
Debut: #70 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (# UK iTunes
all-genres), then #23, then #28, then #16, then #13 (peak) then #14 | Sun April 14: #96
(12 April 2018) Binky
- Drug in My Head (Single; Binky) UK
Debut: #85 UK
Country iTunes Single Chart
Belles & Gals exclusively featured
the video premiere of ‘Drug In My
Head’. With a vibrant and bubbly
personality and a truly infectious sound, Binky is one of the rising stars of
the UK country scene. The new single is the perfect showcase for both her music
and that personality, and if the video doesn’t bring a smile to your face,
nothing will (especially if you’re a fan of massive, human-size lobsters). The
psychedelic feel of the video will certainly wake you up" - Nick Cantwell
(12 April 2018) Stephanie Manns - Lost Love (Single; Stephanie Manns) UK
Manns' latest single ‘Lost Love’ leans wistfully into
beautifully balanced vocals in a duet featuring UK singer-songwriter Matt
McManus.
Scotland’s most authentic Americana singer-songwriter
and rising international star Stephanie Manns returns, this time from New York,
with a series of single releases from a batch of songs recorded and produced in
Nashville, with producer Sam Falle (Mercury Records, Sony BMG, Syco Music, X
Factor UK).
Her first single release ‘Wheels Up’ (July 2018)
displayed Stephanie’s growth as an artist and as a songwriter since moving to
New York. Her authenticity and vulnerability shine through in this upbeat,
catchy break-up song as she navigates lyrically from the melancholy to the
bittersweet in this touching goodbye number.
Her second single ‘Lost Love’ (April 2019)
leans wistfully into beautifully balanced vocals in a duet featuring UK
singer-songwriter Matt McManus. Manns lingers on a love that she left behind
and from the opening line, “a broken heart makes a beautiful sound” the
listener remains with Stephanie as she guides them through this heartfelt
ballad.
"Lost Love" Single Release Party April 20 -
Rockwood Music Hall New York, NY
AWARDS
ICYMI: 54th Academy of
Country Music Awards –
Winners Announced: Review, Press room interviews, Billboard live performance
rankings BLOG
54th Academy of Country Music
Awards – Carpet Fashion
(Review). Find out who wore what on the big awards night. Who wore it
best? BLOG
MUSIC NEWS
(12 April 2019) Taylor Swift has hinted she is ready to give
her fans some new music.
When the clock struck midnight on Friday (12 April 19),
the popstar changed her Instagram, Twitter and Facebook photos to an image of a
pastel sky and clouds, with the date "4.26" in her social media bios.
Taylor's website also features a countdown clock to 26
April (19), and fans around the world - including in Japan and Australia - were
treated to billboards with the URL "aprilTwentySix.com," which redirects
to her own website.
If the 29-year-old does end up dropping new music on
that date, it will be her first material since leaving Big Machine Label Group
and moving over to Republic Records and Universal Music Group.
INTERVIEWS
(8 April 2019) SMITHFIELD:
Interview by
Christian Lamitschka For Country Music News International Magazine & Radio
Show conducted at CRS in Nashville in February
(10 April 2019) Tiffany Woys:
Interview by
Christian Lamitschka For Country Music News International Magazine & Radio
Show conducted at CRS in Nashville in February
WATCH
(11 April 2019) Sarah Darling releases music video for New
Single ‘Fire’
As she prepares for her tour in Germany, Switzerland
and Austria with Jamie Lawson, Sarah Darling released the
video for new single ‘Fire’. Filmed during her recent UK headline tour, it
documents Sarah’s love affair with Great Britain and its people, who have
firmly adopted Sarah as one of their own.
C2C Festival fans are included in the footage watching her
performances at C2C Bluebird Sessions, The Loft, Radio 2's Stage, Town Square
the Country Music Week Hub and getting photos and hug at her C2C meet &
greets.
‘Fire’, the latest single from upcoming studio album WONDERLAND (released June 7th) is an
emotionally charged song written by Sarah, with Pete Hammerton (Kylie Minogue,
The Shires, James Morrison) and Shelly Poole (Ward Thomas, The Wandering
Hearts, Red Sky July).
(13 April 2019) Reba
McEntire has paved the way for tons of country artists. This week on Hot
Country episode she gave advice to a new crop of rising stars (Abby Anderson,
Maddie & Tae, Raelynn, Lauren Jenkins).
.@reba paved the way for tons of country artists. This week on #HotCountry, she's giving advice to a new crop of rising stars. Watch now https://t.co/yqr6cUd9Zr pic.twitter.com/ELlI3UEmJQ— Spotify (@Spotify) 12 April 2019
COUNTRY GOSSIP
(7 April 2019) Kacey Musgraves: ‘Country music will always
be in my DNA!’ She thanks 'great teacher' Dolly Parton for helping her
write music
Kacey Musgraves is confident that she will always be a
country music star.
The Texas-born singer is continuing her winning streak
in the music industry, with her fourth studio album Golden Hour winning Grammy
Awards for Album of the Year and Best Country Album.
While some artists may be tempted to go more
mainstream, Kacey has now shared that her records and concerts will always have
some element of country.
“It makes me
happy, that in some strange way there’s an affinity for something that’s a big
part of me,” she said in an interview with Glamour magazine of fans embracing
“Western Americana” outfits and emblems at her shows. “I can’t get rid of the
country; it’s just in my DNA.”
But even though Kacey is in touch with her country
roots, she doesn’t plan on touching on any particular agenda in her future
work.
Instead, she is focused on using her platform to convey
a certain sense of emotion.
“People are just looking for something to connect
with,” the 30-year-old insisted. “We're all made of the same emotions. It
doesn't matter where you're from or what you have your station set to. I feel
like if I just stick to what makes me feel something, then it's ultimately
going to result in connection with people. I mean, that's the whole point of
writing.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Kacey shared that she has
already written one new song. And while the Butterflies hitmaker is aware that
there will be pressure on her to churn out new music, she plans to take a long
break before getting stuck into making another record.
Kacey Musgraves has thanked Dolly Parton for being a
"great teacher" and helping her write honest music.
The 30-year-old country singer was honoured at Variety’s Power of Women event in New
York on Friday (5 April 2019) for her efforts in pushing for more music education
for young people across the U.S., and credited her fellow musicians who have
inspired her to be truthful in her career.
Recalling a guitar teacher who she studied with, she
went on to name the other "great teachers" in her life.
"Loretta
Lynn and Dolly Parton. OK, they got the big hair and they’re frilly and they’re
rhinestone and they’re glamorous, but they’re important for more than that.
They’re writers and they wrote about real things – birth control, women’s
libido, husbands that drink," the Grammy winner explained.
"And even
if the subject matter was thought to be controversial and banned by radio, they
had the courage to stay true to these visions in the face of disapproval,
especially at that time. It must have required some gigantic balls,"
Kacey added.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
April 15: Roy
Clark (1933), Sam Bush (New
Grass Revival) (1952), Margo Price
(1983), Chris Stapleton (1978), Lee Raymond Kernaghan (1964)
April 16: Claude
Grant (Tenneva Ramblers) (1906)
April 17: Gord
Bamford (1976; Traralgon, Victoria, Australia)
April 18: Curtis
Potter (1940)
April 19: Bekka
Bramlett - (1968), Jim Wolverton
(Leake County Revelers) (1895), Bobby
Russell (1941)
April 20: Sally
Barris (1962) Wade Hayes (1969),
Johnny Tillotson (1939), Doyle Lawson (1944)
April 21: the late Ira Louvin (May 21, 1924; died June 20, 1965 (aged 41)
R.I.P
(10 April 2019) Earl Thomas Conley Dies at 77
Country singer Earl
Thomas Conley earned scores of hits in the ‘80s and early ’90s, primarily
on RCA RECORDS. They included 18 chart-toppers, such as “Holding Her And Loving You,”
“Fire
And Smoke,” “Somewhere Between Right And Wrong,”
“What
I’d Say,” and “Angel In Disguise.” He died at
12:20AM Wednesday (April 10) in Nashville, his brother Fred Conley has
confirmed to the Tennessean.
Blake Shelton broke the news with an emotional social media
post on Wednesday. "My heart is absolutely destroyed today," he
writes. "I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early
this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers
to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest ... "
TRIBUTES
Toby
Keith called Conley a “huge influence on me. Loved him.”
Chris
Young called it a “sad day for Country music.”
And John Rich
tweeted that Conley was “a huge influence on my style and songwriting. I
studied his records like text books and could play every note of every song.
Truly one of the all-time greats in Country music.”
Joe
Galante, who was Conley's label head at RCA, told Country
Aircheck, "He was an incredibly
soulful singer who loved music. You felt his emotion in every song he sang.
Conley was shy but fun to be with, and he influenced a lot of singers for years
to come." Services are pending.
"When I first came to Nashville in the early '80s,
I studied the great singers, songwriters and human hearts - one that topped the
charts in all areas was Earl Thomas Conley. He made a big difference in the
songs I sang. Thank you for the lessons and the memories, my friend. God give
you sweet repose 'til we meet again... 'just around the bend.'" - Randy Travis, Country Music Hall of
Fame and Grand Ole Opry Member
"Earl and I grew up about 30 miles down the road
from each other. We've been good friends for many years. I've always loved his
records and I'm gonna miss him." - Bobby
Bare, Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry Member
"Earl Thomas Conley, great country music star, I
never had the pleasure of working with Earl but I have always admired his
talent and his love for country music." - Mickey Gilley
Country Singer/Songwriter Earl Thomas Conley Dies at
77 - Billboard
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