Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Country Bites News snippets May 6, 2019 – May 12, 2019

UK News, UK Chart News, Album & Single Releases, US & Canadian News, Music News, Press Releases, Reviews, TV, Birthdays

BREAKING NEWS
Country News – May 15, 2019 with Shannon McCombs

This week you’ll hear Trisha Yearwood talk about her upcoming album! Plus, Randy Travis’ new book is out and he says it’s full of "truth." Shannon has some news about the new Keith Urban single and find out what Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is up to during CMA Fest.



UK NEWS

On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist for the week commencing Saturday 11 May 2019
A Playlist
Taylor Swift - ME! (feat. Brendon Urie) a
B Playlist
Maren Morris - The Bones
C Playlist
Ward Thomas - One More Goodbye

(8 May 2019) Singer-songwriter Emma Stevens set off on her Atoms UK Headline Tour. The London show was Friday (May 9) which actually marked the release date for her brand-new EP ATOMS!!! https://smarturl.it/atomsep
Signed physical copies available at https://store.emmastevensmusic.com
It has been all go since Emma returned from the most wonderful trip to China! Emma was over there sharing her music and meeting some of my amazing fans. "A Place Called You” was used on a TV show over there and went out to 75 million people! Emma talking to Sally Taylor about her experience on BBC South Wednesday May 1st.



Emma Stevens China Tour Video >> Diary Part 1

(9 May 2019) Liv Austen made her Radio 2 and Bob Harris Country debut when new single "Whole Heart" was played. "This is music from Liv Austen who I like so much... I love this record" - Bob Harris (OBE)
On May 17 she will be releasing a double A-side, which is her first batch of new music since the 12-track album ‘A Moment of Your Time’ was released in October 2018.
"Detour" and "Whole Heart" (B sides that have been revisited) were recordings from the album, but they have been remixed and edited to be single edits. They were part of the process of making the album.
Talking to Maverick Magazine she shared "Detour is the one that was born first and it’s a story that spans way back. I wrote it about a situation that happened to me years and years ago with my first love that broke my heart – so many songs are written that way! As for Whole Heart, I wrote that as I was falling in love again and I was just really, really scared that the same thing was going to happen again".

(9 May 2019) The Adelaides have announced they will be playing the Millport Country Music Festival on Saturday 31st August in the Maverick Magazine Acoustic Venue.

(9 May 2019) Hand Media International (who own Maverick) acquires Country Music magazine
Hand Media International, publishers of bi-monthly country music magazine Maverick, are delighted to announce that they have acquired Country Music magazine from Anthem Publishing.

Maverick, the leading international independent country music magazine, has a 17-year history and specializes in covering new and upcoming musicians, as well as more established stars. It has recently featured big names such as Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Billy Ray Cyrus and has strong links with many festivals and music organizations, both in Nashville and across Europe.
Country Music, launched two-and-a-half years ago by Bath-based Anthem, has a strong heritage in classic country music and the legends that made the genre famous as well as shining a light on the new stars.
“We’re very pleased to have been given the opportunity to take on Country Music,” explained David Rossiter, Managing Director of HMI. “We’ve long been friends and admirers of the publication, so we’ll be incorporating as much of its DNA into Maverick as we can over the next few issues. We’ll be keeping its archive alive and trying to make as much of its content available as we can.”
Anthem CEO Jon Bickley added, “Country Music magazine has been a wonderful publication for us over the past two and half years allowing us to deal with some brilliant individuals and cover outstanding characters. Although it hasn’t quite worked out for us as a business, we’re pleased that Hand Media International can take it forward and continue to serve our valued readers and advertisers.”

(13 May 2019) Live Music Venue Borderline Set to Close
The announcement from The Borderline comes just two years after significant investment was made in the 300-capacity venue with the aim of breathing new life back into what was one of the last surviving landmark live music venues in the heart of Soho. With ever increasing rents, rising business rates and ongoing redevelopment plans for Soho, we’ve taken the decision to close the venue by 31 August 2019. We will reinvest into the other areas of its venue portfolio with £1 million earmarked for work on the Thekla in Bristol; the upcoming 40th anniversary for the iconic Rock City in Nottingham and work underway to open its first Birmingham venue while The Garage in Islington has just won protection from the council’s local plan following a campaign to safeguard its future.
"It is with a heavy heart that we announce The Borderline will close its doors for the last time this summer. This has been an extremely difficult decision & one we are very sad to make". You can read their full statement here

(13 May 2019) CMA Sets Dates And Lineup For ‘Introducing Nashville’ European Tour
The Country Music Association has announced dates and performers for its upcoming "Introducing NASHVILLE” tour this Fall. Along for the ride will be Country artists Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson, Travis Denning, Chris Lane and Rachel Wammack (LANE and DAWSON on select dates).
The 10-city tour will kick-off Wednesday, October 10th in Oslo, Norway, and continue on to several stops throughout EUROPE and the U.K. (Manchester, Gateshead, Glasgow, Brighton and London for the official launch party for C2C Festival 2020. See Blog

UK TOUR & GIG UPDATES

Link to Country Routes News Gig Page Image Map


UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 16 May 2019)
10 May 2019 - 16 May 2019
After racing to No.1 last week on consumption of 94,495 units – the highest of any single for 14 weeks – Stormzy’s Vossi Bop looked set to push on into six-figure territory this week but actually suffered a 10.4% dip in sales to 84,646 (including 78,386 sales-equivalent streams) and had its lead over former incumbent Lil Nas X squeezed.
Stormzy’s victory margin last week was 13.33% but the downturn in support for Vossi Bop is higher than that suffered by Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road, which remains at No.2 on consumption of 80,659 units (78,386 Streaming units + 6,260 pure-sales), seeing Stormzy’s margin reduced to 4.94%.

Taylor Swift feat. Brendon Urie with Me! fell 3-7 (45,948 units)

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 16 May 2019)
10 May 2019 - 16 May 2019
Hurts 2B Human became only the third 2019 album to spend more than a week at No.1, spending its second straight week at the summit for Pink.
Having secured the second highest weekly artist album sale of 2019 on debut, when it sold 48,861 copies, Hurts 2B Human, saw its sales slide 65.8% week-on-week to 16,713 ( 13,534 paid-for sales + 3,179 from sales-equivalent streams), the second lowest weekly tally for a No.1 album in any of the 19 weeks that have thus far elapsed in 2019.
It is the first album by Pink to spend more than a week at No.1, with her previous chart-toppers Funhouse (2008) and Beautiful Trauma (2017) both being dethroned in their second frame.

Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 16 May 2019)
10 May 2019 - 16 May 2019
Keifer Sutherland with RECKLESS & ME held at No.1 (2 weeks; #1 peak)
JJ Cale with STAY AROUND rose 3-2 (2 weeks; #2 peak)
Jessie Buckley with WILD ROSE - OST fell 2-3 (4 weeks; #1 peak)
Cormac Neeson with WHITE FEATHER held at No.4 (2 weeks; #4 peak)
Francis Rossi & Hannah Rickard with WE TALK TOO MUCH moved 7-4 (8 weeks; #1 peak)
Kacey Musgraves with GOLDEN HOUR held at No.6 (53 weeks; #1 peak)
Steve Earle & The Dukes with GUY fell 5-7 (6 weeks; #1 peak)
Carrie Underwood with CRY PRETTY rose 10-8 (34 weeks; #1 peak)
Ward Thomas with RESTLESS MINDS fell 8-9 (13 weeks; #1 peak)
Maren Morris with GIRL rose 11-10 (9 weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Keifer Sutherland with DOWN IN A HOLE fell 9-11 (5 weeks; #9 peak)
Molly Tuttle with WHEN YOU'RE READY rose 13-12 (5 weeks; #4 peak)
Reba McEntire with STRONGER THAN THE TRUTH made a re-entry at #13 (4 weeks; #2 peak)

Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 16 May 2019)
10 May 2019 - 16 May 2019
Keifer Sutherland with RECKLESS & ME held at #1, Felice Brothers with UNDRESS (Yep Roc) made a debut at No.5 and Joy Williams with FRONT PORCH (Sensibility Recordings) made a debut at No.8.

COUNTRY ALBUM & SINGLES RELEASES

(10 May 2019) Bambi Lee Savage - Berlin-Nashville Express (Hoof & Antler Records)
10 Tracks/ Time: 31:36 Amazon UK (CMP April 2019 3.1/2 STARS)

(10 May 2019) Rodney Atkins - Caught Up In The Country (Curb)
12 Tracks/ Time: 40:41 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #1 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#66 UK iTunes all-genres) | Sat May 11: #16 (below #750 UK iTunes all-genres)
Atkins co-penned all 12 tracks on his fifth studio album — his first new music project since 2011’s Take a Back Road — including the lead single and title track, featuring vocals from the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

(10 May 2019) Chely Wright - Revival (EP; Painted Red Music Group)
Debut #52 UK Country iTunes Album Chart | Debut #25 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#218 US iTunes all-genres)

(10 May 2019) Irene Kelley - Benny's TV Repair (Mountain Fever Records | Shiny Stuff Music, BMI)
11 Tracks/ Time: 35:00 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com (CMP May 2019 5 STARS)
Debut #58 UK Country iTunes Album Chart
Irene is thrilled to be releasing her 2nd album for Mountain Fever Records. Both musically and spiritually, she is connecting past and present and exploring the themes of love, loss and of her life. Music historian Robert K. Oermann sums up her great gifts this way: “As a vocalist, Irene Kelley glows with beauty and expressiveness. As a songwriter, she shines with a luster that few of her peers can match. This is music to cleanse the soul. This is music to raise you up. This is music to touch your heart.”
That kind of spirit, particularly delivered with the conviction that Kelley displays throughout the album, takes a special kind of talent. - Review Americana Music Show.com

(10 May 2019) Lee Kernaghan - Backroad Nation (Australian Broadcasting Corp) AUS
12 Tracks/ Time: 37:53 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Debut #21 UK Country iTunes Album Chart, then #35

(10 May 2019) Jamie McDell - Extraordinary Girl (Jamie McDell) NZ
12 Tracks/ Time: 43:04 Alt-Country & Americana Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Genre: Singer Songwriter | Home Town: Mangawhai, New Zealand | Current Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Awards: Winner of 'Best Pop Album' at the 2013 New Zealand Music Awards.
NZ COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS: The finalists for Best Country Music Artist are Jenny Mitchell for her album Wildfires, Jamie McDell for her album Extraordinary Girl, and Tami Neilson for her sixth album Sassafrass!
Hailing from Auckland, Jamie McDell began her career at 16 by harnessing the power of the internet and using social media and YouTube to promote original and covers songs to Kiwis.
                
(10 May 2019) Abby Anne Miller - Abby Anne Miller (Sidewalk Dreams)
7 Tracks UK iTunes
Debut #24 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#214 US iTunes all-genres)  
HomeTown: Lancaster OH | About: Nashville Recording Artist

(7 May 2019) Paul Greene - Freedom for Your Soul (1251372 Records DK)
11 Tracks/ Time: 42:49 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Debut #98 US Country iTunes Album Chart

(10 May 2019) Alex Butler - Still the Same (EP; King Productions)
4 Tracks/ Time: 14:26 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Debut #150 US Country iTunes Album Chart

(10 May 2019) Sabrina Comellas - Sabrina (Sabrina Comellas)
7 Tracks/ Time: 26:41 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Sabrina Comellas' music is best described as Americana pop with influences such as Linda Ronstadt, Shakey Graves, Lord Huron and many more. A soulful folk which is highlighted by beautiful strings and slides.
Sabrina Comellas is a singer songwriter new to Burlington Vermont. Originally from Long Island  New York, her songs are lyrically focused on the human condition and the feelings that come with being a living loving lady in this big bad world.
https://www.facebook.com/little.bee.marie/ (190 Likes)                  

(10 May 2019) Grace Morrison - Reasons (Grace Morrison)
4 Tracks/ Time: 39:41 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Current Location: Cape Cod, in Massachusetts
"She is folk. She is pop. She's unbelievably masterful behind the wheel of a guitar. Morrison's vocal storytelling cam make you cry; it can make you sing."
             
(10 May 2019) Katlyn Lowe - Chasing Tomorrow (H.K&J Records)
10 Tracks/ Time: 34:50 Contemporary Country Amazon UK - Amazon.com

(9 May 2019) Mary Denk - I'm Still Me (Mary Denk)
5 Tracks/ Time: 17:31 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Singer-songwriter from Southern California,
Inspired by country artists throughout multiple generations, I'm Still Me is an EP that brings together new sounds and old soul. The perfect music for backyards and campfires.
These songs all tend to follow the theme of love: love lost, love found, and loving myself enough to find a path that will truly make me happy. Whatever chapter you're on in your own heart story, I know you'll be able to find a song on here that speaks to you. So let's have a conversation! I hope you like what you hear.
https://www.facebook.com/marydenkmusic/ (142 Likes)

(10 May 2019) Lisa Redford - Edge of Love (Lisa Redford) UK
5 Tracks/ Time: 15:56 Amazon UK - iTunes
Melodic and heartfelt, "Edge of Love" blends Lisa's folk, Americana, pop and country influences with a strong melodic sensibility.

(9 May 2019) Emma Stevens - Atoms (Single; Bright Star Records) UK 
5 Tracks/ Time: 16:51 Singer-Songwriter Pop Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #25 UK Singer-songwriter iTunes Album Chart (#234 UK iTunes all-genres)

(10 May 2019) Michael McMillan - Missing Person (Michael McMillan) UK Scot
12 Tracks/ Time: 50:42 Singer/Songwriter Alternative Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes 
"Absolutely brilliant" - SJ Birds UK Country Showcase

(10 May 2019) Larissa Tormey - Only My Heart Knows (Single; Larisa Vildanova Tormey) IRE
Time: 3:39 Amazon UK - iTunes

(10 May 2019) Lisa McHugh - Country Mile (Single; LMH Music Production Limited.) UK SCOT |
Time: 3:03 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #2 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#58 UK iTunes all-genres), then #1 (#52 all-genres) | Sat May 11: #1 (#71 all-genres) | Mon May 13: #2 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart | Tues May 14: #5

She shared: "Here’s my first single of 2019 which I had the honour of writing with Gareth Dunlop and Jason H Clarke. These guys are an absolute dream to work with! I’ve literally been SO excited about this song for so long now I’m buzzing that you can finally hear it"!

(10 May 2019) The Adelaides - Leave (Single; Crimson/ Demon Music Group Ltd) UK
Time: 2:58 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
Debut #3 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#86, then #76 UK iTunes all-genres) | Sat May 11: #3 (#143 UK iTunes all-genres) | Sun May 12: #4 (below #250) | Mon May 13: #15 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart | Tues May 14: #85
Lyric Magazine: It’s as catchy as we’d hoped. Superb harmonies, great production and a toe-tapping, sing-along chorus. A blast of summer delivered with passion & skill

(10 May 2019) Sina Theil - East Bound and Down (Single; Downdaroad) UK/IRE
Time: 2:45 Amazon UK - UK iTunes
10th #1 In the Country Download Charts!
Originally from Germany, Sina Theil started playing piano and writing songs at the age of 7; picking up the guitar at 18 she has since flourished into an accomplished recording artist. Sina left Germany for Spain where she played with a local Spanish band and recorded her first demos before finally arriving in Dublin. Here she paved her way in the Irish Music Scene and became a student at the prestigious Music College BIMM. Funding her musical education through busking on the streets of Dublin, she gained invaluable experience and developed her performance skills as the lead singer of a rock group.
Sina’s music videos receive regular play on Keep It Country TV, Europe’s largest Country Music TV Station, where she has also been interviewed on several occasions.

CANADIAN NEWS
(13 May 2019) Released to radio: Lisa Brokop - Who's Gonna Fill Their Heels
Lisa Brokop is going back to her roots with this classic country song! This was inspired by the George Jones classic, Whos Gonna Fill Their Shoes, but has been re-written by Lisa to pay homage to the legendary ladies of country music and has been affectionately renamed, Whos Gonna Fill Their Heels!
A huge fan of the late George Jones, Lisa was listening to the song that speaks of many of our legendary artists but was struck by the fact that only the men were mentioned and not any of our great ladies! Lisa decided to change that with her heartfelt rendition of Whos Gonna Fill Their Heels that honors the amazing woman of country who have paved the way for the female artists of today!
Set volume, Tap or Click to watch Facebook video:


Calgary, this will forever be our song!! Bow Valley Music Club #LegendaryLadiesofCountry @PatriciaConroy @AmandaWilkinson Tera Lee Flaman #ILoveGeorgeJones #filltheirheels 👠 Duane Steele George Jones Loretta Lynn Official DollyParton Stella Stevens 840 CFCW Paul Ferguson AIM: Artists In Motion Grand Ole Opry Steve Wariner
Posted by Lisa Brokop on Monday, 29 April 2019


(13 May 2019) HOT AND NEW: Elly Thorn "Something In Me"
Something In Me is Elly Thorn's third official release to country radio!  This upbeat and catchy tune is produced by CCMA award winner, Bart McKay. This FRESH and FUN vibe is sure to get your listeners ready for spring or else at least to the gym for a workout! Sounding like a combination of Shania and Faith Hill -this is definitely a song to add to your list!

Something In Me is written about Elly and husband John's fourth child.  It's about quieting the inner noise around you and letting your own voice be your guide.  It's about listening to your own heart and being aware.
The single was released digitally on April 8, 2019 (Amazon UK - iTunes)

NEWS
(7 May 2019) Signage:  Tanya Tucker has signed with Fantasy Records, who will release her new album WHILE I'M LIVIN' in late summer 2019. "Tanya Tucker is an original outlaw who bucked the country music establishment and became a living legend in the process – which makes Fantasy her perfect home," says Pres. Margi Cheske.

AWARDS
(7 May 2019) The nominees for the 2019 CMT MUSIC AWARDS were announced Tuesday (May 7), with Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, and the Zac Brown Band earning three nominations each.
Voting is now underway at the CMT website and will continue through JUNE 4th at 11:59p (ET); the awards show will air live on JUNE 5th, with LITTLE BIG TOWN back to host.
Categories are: Video of the Year, Male, Female, Duo, Group, Breakthrough, Collaborative & CMT Performance Video of the Year:

Nominees for Video of the Year:
CARRIE UNDERWOOD – “CRY PRETTY”
CHRIS JANSON – “DRUNK GIRL”
COLE SWINDELL – “BREAK UP IN THE END”
DAN + SHAY – “SPEECHLESS”
DIERKS BENTLEY FEAT. BROTHERS OSBORNE – “BURNING MAN”
ERIC CHURCH – “DESPERATE MAN”
FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE – “SIMPLE”
KACEY MUSGRAVES – “RAINBOW”
KANE BROWN – “GOOD AS YOU”
KEITH URBAN FEAT. JULIA MICHAELS – “COMING HOME”
KELSEA BALLERINI – “MISS ME MORE”
LUKE COMBS – “SHE GOT THE BEST OF ME”
MAREN MORRIS – “GIRL”
ZAC BROWN BAND – “SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW”

TV
(10 May 2019) River House/Columbia Nashville’s Luke Combs made an appearance on Thursday night (May 9) episode of NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Combs performed his new single, “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” which was released to Country radio earlier this week. Watch Combs’ performance here.

BABY NEWS
(13 May 2019) Chris Stapleton Welcomes Fifth Child
Congratulations go out to MERCURY NASHVILLE artist Chris Stapleton and his wife, MORGANE, who have welcomed their fifth child. MORGANE took to INSTAGRAM on Monday (May 13) to announce their new bundle of joy with the caption, “The most perfect MOTHER’s DAY… I wish all you Mamas the happiest of days today!”
The Country couple were already parents to three sons (including twin boys), and one daughter. The new child’s name and gender were not revealed.

MUSIC NEWS
(9 May 2019) Billboard: Here's 2019's Biggest Streaming Earners So Far
1. ARIANA GRANDE Total label streaming revenue YTD: $12.08M Total audio and video on-demand streams YTD: 2.83B

(13 May 2019) Billboard: The Economics of Taylor Swift's 'ME!' and Music Videos In the Digital Age
Sources estimate Taylor Swift's big comeback visual cost seven figures to make.
The hissing snake exploding into butterflies, the dozens of dancers in pastel-colored suits, Brendon Urie floating through the sky with an umbrella -- none of these effects in Taylor Swift's "ME!" video were cheap. Music-industry sources estimated its budget in the seven figures. figures. But thanks to the new music-video economy, Swift’s label, Republic, could make up that money over the next few months; the video has been streamed 162 million times so far on YouTube, which, according to one source, means $150,000 to $250,000 in label revenue.
YouTube pays out roughly $1.50 for every 1,000 views, according to data released by the RIAA in 2017....Read more

PRESS RELEASES
(10 May 2019) Sarah Darling released her new single, ‘A Little Bit Of Rain’ (iTunes).
The single is taken from Sarah Darling’s highly anticipated 5th studio album WONDERLAND, due for release on June 7th 2019, and precedes a run of UK dates starting mid-July (full list below).


A Little Bit Of Rain’ is one of the more ‘classic’ country track appearing on ‘Wonderland’ with its soft acoustic opening and soaring lap steel. It was written with dear friend of Sarah’s, country singer Jenn Bostic, and Nashville songwriter Michael Logen (Kelly Clarkson, Jonny Lang, Paul Carrack). Sarah describes the lyrics as “My country cautionary tale. This is the type of song that makes me so drawn to what country music represents. It’s so honest and true. This is what could be if something got a little too out of control and has so many life lessons run through it.”
Sarah’s upcoming album ‘Wonderland’ was recorded in the UK, Sarah’s second home, as Sarah turned to a rich pool of acclaimed British songwriters/producers - Matthew Benbrook (Lana Del Ray, Paolo Nutini), Seton Daunt (Kylie Minogue, Gabrielle Aplin), Jonny Lattimer (Nina Nesbitt, Sam Smith), Ash Howes (Kylie, Gabriella Aplin), Pete Hammerton (Little Mix, The Shires), MyRiot (London Grammar), Shelly Poole (Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jack Savoretti) and Jessica Sharman (Ward Thomas) – to create an album which builds on her acclaimed country routes, whilst embracing the pop sensibility that Britain is globally famous for.

(10 May 2019) Thomas Rhett Invites Fans To Experience Center Point Road at Bridgestone Arena During CMA Fest On June 8 In Nashville
Ramping up excitement for his hotly-anticipated upcoming fourth studio album CENTER POINT ROAD out MAY 31 (The Valory Music Co.), current ACM Male Artist of the Year Thomas Rhett announced that he will bring CENTER POINT ROAD to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 8. Fans are invited to an up-close-and-personal set from the singer/songwriter revealing stories behind brand new songs, while also delivering the smash hits and fan-favorites that shaped him into the artist he is today in a rare stripped-down, in-the-round setting. Longtime fans will recognize the favorite B-stage layout, inspired by Thomas Rhett's live show where he shares stories behind the songs, connecting him to every seat in the house. Tickets are $25 and include a copy of the upcoming release with proceeds benefiting music education through the CMA Foundation.

(12 May 2019) Seven-time Grammy award-winning trio Lady Antebellum returned to Las Vegas (5/10 & 5/11)
Lady Antebellum’s continued with their first-ever residency, OUR KIND OF VEGAS, at the Palms Casino Resort's Pearl Concert Theater. As the first Country act to headline the venue, the engagement upheld its "expertly designed concert production" (Las Vegas Sun) while maintaining its "mix of intimacy and spectacle” (Las Vegas Magazine) as the band kept the capacity crowds on their feet with its high-energy horn section before teasing new music. For the residency, the group shares a bit of the soul of Nashville each night by featuring a hit songwriter, this week highlighting longtime friend and songwriter Dave Barnes (“God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton, “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood, “Craving You” by Thomas Rhett). Together, in-the-round style, Lady A and Barnes took turns performing stripped-down versions and the stories behind some of their biggest hits.

REVIEWS
(13 May 2019) Entertainment Focus: Logan Brill CMT Next Women of Country O2 Academy Islington, London live review (Rating: 3.1/2 out of 5 by LAURA COONEY) Great bluesy vocals, Good turns of phrase in lyrics, lower songs were a highlight....Read more

(13 May 2019) Entertainment Focus: Cassadee Pope CMT Next Women of Country O2 Academy Islington, London live review (Rating: 3.1/2 out of 5 by PIP ELLWOOD-HUGHES) Vocally Pope was on point, Lots of energy and a good entertainer, The older material jarred a little with the new stuff ...Read more

INTERVIEWS






































COUNTRY GOSSIP
(12 May 2019) Taylor Swift warns new album contains 'a lot of a lot'
Taylor Swift's new album contains "a lot of a lot", with the singer trying to convey an "emotional spectrum" through the record.
The 29-year-old singer is prepping for the upcoming release of her latest, as yet untitled, offering, and spoke to Entertainment Weekly about what fans can expect. Admitting that the record is packed full of tunes, Taylor stated that it's her most ambitious album to date.
"There’s a lot of a lot on this album,” she explained. "I’m trying to convey an emotional spectrum. I definitely don’t wanna have too much of one thing… You get some joyful songs and you get the bops, as they say.”
The album will also include some "really, really, really, really sad songs,” but “not enough to where you need to worry about me", Taylor added reassuringly.
"I try not to go into making an album with any expectation," she continued. "I started to write so much that I knew immediately it would probably be bigger."
Taylor's last album, 2017's Reputation, had 15 tracks, with fans quick to assume following her EW interview that the new record will have even more.
As for the message she's putting across with her upcoming offering, Taylor added that it's her devoted fanbase that prompted a "tonal shift" compared to her last release.
“It’s definitely the fans that made that tonal shift in the way I was feeling,” she explained. “Songwriters need to communicate, and part of communicating correctly is when you put out a message that is understood the way you meant it."

PHOTO
Abby Days Are Here Again: Black River's Abby Anderson (l) with TuneIn's Kelly Sutton. Watch Anderson's reaction to hearing "Good Lord" on the radio for the first time here.

BIRTHDAYS
May 13: Ray Kennedy (1954), Ilse DeLange (1977), the late Lari White (May 13, 1965; Jan 23, 2018 (aged 52) BLOG), Darius Rucker (1966), William Michael Morgan (1993)
May 14: Dustin Lynch (1985), Twinnie (1987; UK)

May 15: the late Eddy Arnold (May 15, 1918; died May 8, 2008 (aged 89)), Chapin Hartford (1944), K T Oslin (1941) 
May 16: Rick Trevino (1971), Brooke McClymont (McClymonts) (1981)
May 17: the late Jesse Winchester (May 17, 1940; died April 11, 2014 (aged 69)), Kree Harrison (1990)
May 18: Gary Scruggs (1949), George Strait (1952), Joe Bonsall (Oak Ridge Boys) (1948), David Nail (1979), Troy Cassar-Daley (1969) 
May 19: the late Mickey Newbury (May 19, 1940; died Sept 29, 2002 (aged 62)), Maggie Rose, Shooter Jennings (1979)

R.I.P
The legendary Doris Day has died at the age of 97.
The actress, singer and animal activist passed away at her Carmel Valley, California home early on Monday morning. The Doris Day Animal Foundation confirmed the news, stating she "had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia."
Doris made her name in 'The Golden Age of Hollywood' in movies such as Calamity Jane, The Man Who Knew Too Much and Pillow Talk.
In addition to her screen appearances, Doris released 29 studio albums across her career with her hits Secret Love and Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Será Será) reached Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart.
Doris' chart topper Secret Love was the bestselling song of 1954; it would be another 31 years until another female solo artist scored the biggest selling single of the year. In 2011 aged 87, Doris became the oldest female artist to score a Top 10 album of new material.

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