Thursday, 27 June 2019

Country Bites News snippets June 10 – June 16, 2019


UK News, UK Chart News, Album & Single Releases, US & Canadian News, Music News, Press Releases, TV, Baby, Interviews, Articles & Videos, Fashion, Photos, Birthdays

BREAKING NEWS
Country News – June 19, 2019 with Shannon McCombs
This week, exclusive audio from one of Country music’s true legends! Hear what Gene Watson has to say about the day he recorded one of his greatest hits, "Farewell Party." You’ll also hear Garth’s reaction to Trisha Yearwood’s new single. The latest news from Rascal Flatts… Plus, Luke Combs matches Billboard chart history made by Johnny Cash!



UK NEWS
(12 June 2019) Sasha McVeigh will release a new single "Rock Bottom" on July 12
And so begins a new chapter..Fans can presave the song
She shared: If 250 of you beautiful souls can pre-save this song, it will be put on official Spotify and Apple Music playlists alongside some of my biggest idols in country music!
 “Just because you hit rock bottom, doesn't mean you have to stay there." - Robert Downey Jr #RockBottom

















2019 is sure to be an exciting year for the British songstress, with festival dates already on the cards for the summer.
Following the success of her last single, “When I’m Over You”, which independently garnered over half a million streams on Spotify, McVeigh has been hard at work in the studio finishing her latest, much-anticipated project.
“This record is incredibly important to me and it’s been a long time in the making. I didn’t want to rush any aspect of the process and I think that’s going to show when it’s released. It was entirely funded by the fans on Kickstarter, so I hope they’re proud of what’s been created.”
“I can’t wait to get started on this next chapter and I feel very lucky for the journey so far. If I could go back and tell my five year-old self that one day I’d be living my dreams…I don’t think she’d believe just how much my dreams have come true.”
Visit Sasha's new website: www.sashamcveighmusic.com

UK TOUR & GIG UPDATES
Recent additions: Andrew Combs (Dec), East Lonesome Drifters (July), Lennon Stella(March 2020), Rachel Harrington (July-Oct), Michael Ray (Oct), Rock Ridge Round Festival (July)
Brett Eldredge (Jan-Feb 2020), Barbara Nesbitt (July-Aug), Edwina Hayes (June-July), Eve Selis (July), Jessica Lynn (August), Ray Peters (July-Aug)

Link to Country Routes News Gig Page Image Map


UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 20 June 2019)
14 June 2019 - 20 June 2019
There was no change at the very top, where Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber’s I Don’t Care racked up its fifth straight week at No.1 on consumption of 67,959 units (including 60,190 from sales-equivalent streams) – the lowest of its reign.
No.2 for the seventh week in a row, and eighth week in total, Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road drew closer in percentage term, with consumption in the week at 66,406 units.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 20 June 2019)
14 June 2019 - 20 June 2019
Sales of Lewis Capaldi’s DIVINELY UNINSPIRED TO A HELLISH EXTENT continued to ebb but the 22-year-old Scot remained atop the chart for the fourth week in a row with the set on consumption of 27,590 units (including 14,983 from sales-equivalent streams). The last album by a new artist to debut at No.1 and take longer to be dethroned was X Factor winner Leona Lewis’ Spirit, which racked up seven straight weeks at the summit in 2007.

Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 20 June 2019)
14 June 2019 - 20 June 2019
Thomas Rhett with CENTER POINT ROAD held at No1 (2 weeks; #1 peak)
Sarah Darling with WONDERLAND made a debut at No.2
Kacey Musgraves with GOLDEN HOUR rose 5-3 (58 weeks; #1 peak)
Keifer Sutherland with RECKLESS & ME fell 3-4 (7 weeks; #1 peak)
JJ Cale with STAY AROUND fell 2-5 (7 weeks; #2 peak)
Jessie Buckley with WILD ROSE - OST fell 4-6 (9 weeks; #1 peak)
Chris Stapleton with TRAVELLER climbed 12-7 (66 weeks; #1 peak)
Yola with WALK THROUGH FIRE fell 7-8 (16 weeks; #1 peak)
Carrie Underwood with CRY PRETTY rose 11-9 (39 weeks; #1 peak)
Maren Morris with GIRL fell 6-10 (14 weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Francis Rossi & Hannah Rickard with WE TALK TOO MUCH fell 9-11 (13 weeks; #1 peak)

COUNTRY ALBUM & SINGLES RELEASES
(13 June 2019) Bruce Springsteen - Western Stars (Columbia)  
13 Tracks/ Time: 50:36 Rock Amazon - iTunes
Debut #1 UK iTunes all-genres

(14 June 2019) Chris Shiflett - Hard Lessons (East Beach Records & Tapes-Thirty Tigers)
11 Tracks/Time: 32:07 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #1 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#36 UK iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real - Turn Off The News (Build A Garden) 13 Tracks/Time: 51:13 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #3 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#199 UK iTunes all-genres) | Debut #2 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#15 US iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Jon Wolfe - Feels Like Country Music [EP]
5 Tracks/Time: 17:00 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #15 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#520 UK iTunes all-genres) | Debut #4 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#19 US iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Montgomery Gentry - Outskirts [EP] (Average Joes Entertainment)
7 Tracks/Time: 25:48 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #16 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#521 UK iTunes all-genres)
Recorded in Sept. 2017 and produced by Noah Gordon and Shannon Houchins, the seven-track EP includes versions of Merle Haggard’s “What Am I Going To Do With The Rest Of My Life” and Darrell Scott’s “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” as well as “King of the World,” featuring Steve Vai on guitar, and the Travis Denning co-penned “Joe’s Six-Pack.”

(14 June 2019) English Mustard - The Very Best of English Mustard (NA)
7 Tracks/Time: 25:18  Americana Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #43 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#-- UK iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Amber Lawrence - Spark (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) AUS
10 Tracks/ Time: 32:13 Amazon UK - iTunes

(14 June 2019) Riley Green - Get That Man A Beer (BMLGR)
4 Tracks/Time: 13:32 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #53 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#559 US iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Ryan Robinette - Hello Summer, Vol. 3 (EP; Ryan Robinette)
4 Tracks/Time: 11:57 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #13 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#113 US iTunes all-genres)

(14 June 2019) Fly Rich - The Hickhop Album (Tym3management)  
7 Tracks/Time: Urban Cowboy Amazon UK - iTunes  
Debut #160 US Country iTunes Album Chart

(14 June 2019) Liddy Clark - Testing the Waters (Unplugged) (Crimson Rose Records)
5 Tracks iTunes | Acoustic cuts of Testing the Waters - EP first released: 27 Jul 2018

(14 June 2019) Hailey Dawn - Hollow Heart (EP; Hailey Dawn)
5 Tracks/Time: 20:09 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com

(14 June 2019) Amy May - Mystic (Amy May)
12 Tracks/Time: Pop / Pop/Rock Amazon UK - UK iTunes  

(14 June 2019) The Rev - El Diablo (EP; The Rev)
4 Tracks/ Time: 16:27 Amazon UK - iTunes
The Rev were pleased to announce the release of their new EP entitled, “El Diablo”!
The Rev is what would happen if Jack Johnson took Waylon Jennings surfing. Singer/songwriter, indie, country, Americana.

The EP is accompanied by the release of their first theatrical video for the song, >> "Sea Level". This song can be described as what would happen if Nashville hitched a ride to the west coast and went surfing.

The band shared: You may notice some Brit influence on “Theory of Everything”. Lead singer and songwriter, Eric Meyers, is a huge fan of Del Amitri. As such, the structure and some harmonies may be reminiscent of songs from the Del Amitri album, "Some Other Sucker’s Parade”. Video for “Theory of Everything” is complete and due to be released mid-late July.

Find out more Related Blog (Jan 2019)
Indie-Country act The Rev release new single El Diablo

(14 June 2019) Clara Bond - Baby, You've Been on My Mind (Single; Clara Bond) UK   
Time: 3:17 POP Amazon UK - iTunes  

(14 June 2019) The Wandering Hearts - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart (Single; Decca) UK  
Time: 4:51 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #7 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#354 UK iTunes all-genres), Sat June 15: #9 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (below #400 UK iTunes all-genres), 
Played by Paul Sexton on the Bob Harris Country Show it’s a cover of Mark Ronson - Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (Official Video) ft. Miley Cyrus

CANADIAN NEWS
(16 June 2019) Global Icon Shania Twain Announces Headlining Las Vegas Residency
One of music's most renowned trailblazers and the top-selling female country artist of all-time, Shania Twain, is returning to the Las Vegas Strip with Shania Twain "Let's Go!" The Vegas Residency, opening at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.
Shania will serve as creative director for her new Las Vegas show, combining her three decade-long career with inspiration from her iconic videos and elements from her 2018 sold out global NOW tour. This country rebel at heart will push the boundaries in Vegas, just as she always has done, taking fans on a journey of nostalgia and blowing them away with outside-the-box concepts and visual spectacles.
Tickets went on sale to the public starting Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. PT. 
DATES:
Dec. 2019: 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18
March 2020: 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 27, 28
May 2020: 20, 22, 23, 27, 29, 30
June 2020: 3, 5, 6
Mercury's Shania Twain talked about her upcoming Vegas residency on ABC's Good Morning America (June 17). Watch here.
Shania Twain talks about "Let's Go!" Las Vegas residency, role in "I Still Believe" and more >> YouTube
She also appeared on Live with Kelly & Ryan (6/18). Watch here.

Since releasing their debut single, "Waiting Kind of Girl" in January of 2018, energetic Calgary duo Leaving Thomas (Annika Cheyne and Bryton Udy) have continued to gain momentum with no sign of slowing down! Their single "Blame it on the Neon" broke the top 20 at Canadian Country Radio and was also featured on Sirius XM's "The Highway" and the music video was featured on CMT US.

Leaving Thomas' debut EP topped the iTunes country charts, hitting number 1 on the first day of its release. The new album NOTHING COMES FOR FREE was released on May 29th with a packed release party at the King Eddy in Calgary.
Their first radio single from this release is "I Wanna Be It All". Written by Annika and Bryton and Liz Rose and Phil Barton. Connect on Facebook

NEWS
(11 June 2019) Luke Combs stunned with request to join Grand Ole Opry
Chris Janson, Craig Morgan and John Conlee stunned Luke Combs Tuesday night (June 11) with an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.

(11 June 2019) Average Joes Entertainment signs Smo
Artist and reality TV star SMO has signed with NASHVILLE-based Average Joes Entertainment (AJE). He is currently in the studio finishing his new album. His first single for the label, “Tear Da Mud Up,” will be included on the next version of Average Joes’ complication series, “Mud Digger 10,” set for release on Friday, July 12th.
“Everyone at the label is excited to welcome SMO to the roster,” said AVERAGE JOES’ FORREST LATTA. “His talent, authenticity, and ability to deliver resonates with a broad fan base which has been firmly established. The entire team at Average Joes Entertainment is excited for what's to come in the next chapter of SMO.”

(11 June 2019) Meghan Linsey And Tyler Cain Form New Duo
Singer and “The Voice” runner up Meghan Linsey is back in a duo, having formed MEG & TYLER with producer Tyler Cain. Linsey was previously half of the Big Machine Records duo Steel Magnolia.
MEG & TYLER announced their new venture on the red (actually blue) carpet at the CMT Music Awards in NASHVILLE on JUNE 5th. Their first single (due 6/28) is titled “Mardi Gras & Rhinestones,” and they promoted it with an appearance that turned into a surprise flash mob Mardi Gras parade during CMA Fest Sunday (June 9), complete with a full horn section and Mardi Gras beads. Watch it here.
“CMA Fest is all about the fans, so we really wanted to do something special for them,” said TYLER. “MEG is from New Orleans, and that culture has had a huge influence on our music and image. It just felt natural to bring a little bit of Mardi Gras to Music City.” LINSEY said of the single, “It’s about bringing people together. We’re all about love and acceptance and we want that to translate in our music. It was so cool to see so much diversity in our parade. Even the police officers were high fiving us as we went by. It was a beautiful thing.”

(11 June 2019) According to Music Row's article there is all-star Highwomen album project coming. "Redesigning Women" by Maren Morris should be the first single.
“There are a lot of amazing women on this project,” said Maren, mentioning the studio participation of Sheryl Crow and Yola. Song collaborators include Laura Veltz, Lori McKenna and Miranda Lambert.
On Monday (June 10), Music Row were introduced to four new collaborative women, Americana queen Brandi Carlile, top Music Row songwriter Natalie Hemby, alterna-pop singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Amanda Shires and country hit maker Maren Morris — The HighWomen.
“This project represents four bad-ass women who cannot be contained,” said their producer, Dave Cobb, to a packed Ford Theater audience at the Country Music Hall of Fame. We gathered there for a listening event on Monday evening. The women received standing ovations throughout the gig. “The themes of this record are around female empowerment,” said Brandi Carlile.
Read more Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris Talk Highwomen Project via Rolling Stone

(14 June 2019) Country Music People magazine reported in their June issue that Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer got married
A couple of talented singer/songwriters got married on May 12. After a three-plus-year courtship, Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer tied the knot.
Hayes shared a photo on his Instagram of the newlyweds with the caption: “I’m so happy to say that Allison Moorer and I made it official yesterday. Dreams do come true.”
Hayes Carll and Allison Moorer dropped by NPR Music's World Cafe to discuss collaborating on his new album, What It Is, and what it was like to release albums on their respective divorces around the same time before they fell in love. You'll also get to hear highlights from the new LP like "None'ya" and "American Dream." Listen here
Related Article: Hayes Carll joins host Talia Schlanger on The World Cafe Podcast

AMERICANA NEWS
(14 June 2019) "I then went out and made the record that I was looking for." - John Paul White talked about his love for countrypolitan music planting the seed for his new record, The Hurting Kind, as well as whether or not he was intentional about a retro sound and how he found a "timeless" duet partner in Lee Ann Womack. Read more

AWARDS
(21 June 2019) Why You Gotta Be So Teen:  Brett Young, Dan + Shay, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Thomas Rhett are nominated for Choice Country Artist at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards, airing Aug. 11 on Fox.
The Choice Country Song nominees are Maren Morris' "Girl," Brown's "Good as You," Rhett's "Look What God Gave Her," Ballerini's "Miss Me More," Musgraves' "Rainbow" and Dan + Shay's "Speechless," while Lil Nas X f/Billy Ray Cyrus' "Old Town Road [Remix]" is up for Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song and Choice Collaboration. Full list

TV
(10 June 2019) King Calaway performed "World For Two" on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live (6/10). Watch here.

(11 June 2019) Columbia's Tim McGraw appeared on ABC's The View (6/11).
Columbia Nashville's Tim McGraw appeared on NBC-TV's "TODAY" show to talk about the new book, "Songs Of America," that he wrote with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham. The book discusses the impact of patriotic music and the ways it has shaped our nation. McGraw and Meacham sat down with "TODAY’s" Savannah Guthrie to chat about how the idea for the book came about, and some of their favorite influential songs discussed in their work.
Watch here, here and here.

BABY NEWS
(11 June 2019) Randy Houser And Wife Welcome Baby Boy
Congratulations to Stoney Creek Records' Randy Houser and wife TATIANA on the birth of their son, Huckleberry Randolph Houser. This is the first child for the couple, who were married in 2016. Houser has one other son from a previous marriage.
HOUSER shared with PEOPLE magazine, "My beautiful and brave wife, Tatiana and I are very proud to announce the birth of our little man, Huckleberry Randolph Houser. HUCK was born on JUNE 19th, 2019, and weighed in at 7 lbs. 6 oz. He’s handsome, healthy and happy, and we couldn’t be more excited to get him home and start the next chapter of our lives together with him." - Instagram

MUSIC NEWS
(14 June 2019) Taylor Swift releases new single “You Need To Calm Down”
Taylor Swift announced and dropped a second song You Need To Calm Down which is track 14 from her 18-track album LOVER (Universal | Amazon UKApple Music) >> YouTube (Lyric Video) | Review: pophrt.com


Swift shared what the song is about with Apple's Beats 1 right after the track dropped at midnight: “I’ve observed a lot of different people in our society who put so much energy and effort into negativity and it made me feel like, ‘you need to just calm down.’ You're stressing yourself out. This seems like it's more about you than what you're going off about.” 

Swift further revealed that Lover will arrive on August 23 (because 8+2+3=13, her fave number) and will comprise 18 tracks, including the Brendon Urie-assisted "ME!"

There will be 4 separate Deluxe versions of the album and she's collaborated with designer Stella McCartney for a collection inspired by the new music.  Speaking about the album's title, Swift explained, "This album, in tone, it's very romantic. And not just simply thematically, like it's all love songs or something. Because I think that the idea of something being romantic, it doesn't have to be a happy song. I think you can find romance in loneliness or sadness or going through a conflict or dealing with things in your life. It just kind of looks at those things with a very romantic gaze."
Taylor Swift 'much lighter' now she's no longer feuding with Katy Perry
Taylor Swift's life became "much lighter" after her Katy Perry feud ended.
The pair fell out when the Roar singer nabbed her pop rival's dancers for a tour, and they bickered in the media and in the lyrics to their songs for several years before Katy urged Taylor to stop fighting with her and become friends.
She sent Taylor an actual olive branch to make it clear she was serious about ending their feud and now she has appeared in the 29-year-old's new You Need to Calm Down video, hugging her new pal.
In addition, Taylor has told the U.K.'s Capital Breakfast radio show that she and Katy have been on "good terms" for some time after meeting at a couple of parties.



“You Need To Calm Down” single cover | June 13, 2019
Taylor is wearing a Norma Kamali ‘Bill Embellished Stretch Tulle Halter Bikini Top’ - $610.00 Product
Get the look: Paula Hermanny, $48.00 www.theoutnet.com

Taylor Leaving her apartment | New York City, NY | June 14, 2019
She was wearing a Saint Laurent ‘Slim Fit Virgin Wool Blazer’ - $2,230.00 Product + blouse Product, IRO shorts - Product and Kat Maconie ‘Pammy Platform Sandals’ - $360.00 katmaconie.com

She added: Dana Rebecca ‘Sarah Leah Six Burst Studs’ - $2,860.00 ; Nouvel Heritage ‘Paved Star Ring’ - $1,600.00





























(15 June 2019) YouTube Facts, Figures and Statistics – 2019
YouTube launched on February 14th, 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. Now it is the 2nd most visited website in the world.
Facts and Numbers
The very first YouTube video was uploaded on 23 April 2005.
The total number of people who use YouTube – 1,300,000,000.
The platform’s users upload more than 500 hours of fresh video per minute, YouTube revealed at recent press events.
That works out to 30,000 hours of new content per hour, and 720,000 hours (83 days) of new content per day.
Almost 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube every single day.
YouTube gets over 30 million visitors per day
In an average month, 8 out of 10 18-49-year-olds watch YouTube.
By 2025, half of the viewers under 32 will not subscribe to a pay-TV service.
6 out of 10 people prefer online video platforms to live TV

PRESS RELEASES
(11 June 2019) Garth Brooks Captivates Record-Breaking Crowd At Denver’s Mile High Stadium As He Continues Monumental The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour
Garth Brooks entertained a record-breaking audience Saturday (6/8) at Denver, CO’s Mile High Stadium with 84,500 fans, making it the “largest ticketed event in Broncos stadium history,” (Denver Post) breaking the previous record of 77,000 set by U2 in 2011. Breaking stadium records at each stop on THE GARTH BROOKS STADIUM TOUR, Brooks has continued to show why he remains one of most powerful live draws in the world with Denver Post noting “Brooks is as famous for his concerts as he is for his songs, and it’s easy to see why.” Since launching the tour, Brooks has broken attendance records in St. Louis, MO at The Dome at America's Center, Glendale, AZ at State Farm Stadium, Gainesville, FL at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, two sold-out nights at Minneapolis, MN’s U.S. Bank Stadium and Denver, CO at Mile High Stadium. Additional upcoming shows are already sold-out in Eugene, OR at Autzen Stadium on 6/29 with Regina, SK’s Mosaic Stadium show on 7/10 and Boise, ID’s Albertsons Stadium show on 7/20 both selling out in under an hour, averaging just over 75,000 tickets in each city.  

(14 June 2019) Brantley Gilbert’s Growing Family Inspires Pensive New Song, Released Ahead Of Father’s Day
When Brantley Gilbert and wife Amber welcomed their son, Barrett Hardy-Clay, in 2017, the rough-around-the-edges singer/songwriter/rocker admittedly immediately softened. Once the family of three settled back in their home in Maysville, Georgia, the reality of consequences from a hard-lived youth sank in and he realized he would have to have a conversation with his children a little earlier than most fathers.
“There was a time in my life where I’m not necessarily proud of the man I was,” Gilbert shared. “I want our children to have a song where they can hear my voice say ‘I love you’ and acknowledges that there’s going to come a time when they figure out I’m not a ‘super hero.’ I’m human; I’ve made mistakes. And I’ll make a lot more, but there’s a man who really did hang the moon, who’s got your back and always will, and if I’ve done my job as a father, they’ll know that truth.”
Gilbert wrote “Man That Hung The Moon” at their home in one sitting. “We had actually just found out that we were pregnant with our second, a baby girl due this September, the day I wrote this song. I sat down to write them a letter, but I’m a songwriter first so I ended up with this song.”



(14 June 2019) Whiskey Myers Release "Die Rockin'" Ahead of Self-Titled Album Set for September 27
 As RollingStone.com reported (June 13), genre-bending band Whiskey Myers announced their forthcoming fifth studio album, with the self-produced and self-titled project set for release via Wiggy Thump Records/Thirty Tigers on September 27 (available for pre-order HERE).
“This was the first album we've produced on our own and it's 100% authentically us, which is why we decided to self-title it WHISKEY MYERS,” lead guitarist John Jeffers shared with Rolling Stone. “We've been fortunate in our careers to work with some incredible producers in the past, however self-producing gave us the freedom to try every crazy idea in the studio, which got us to this place where we are completely satisfied with the end result and more excited than ever to get this new music out to our fans.” The first taste of new music comes via instant grat track “Die Rockin’,” a hard-hitting anthem that drives home the band’s passion for music and is sure to be a hit at their frequently sold-out live shows, including Tuesday, June 25 when they open for rock icons The Rolling Stones at Chicago’s Soldier Field – a band that is namechecked in the song’s lyrics.

(14 June 2019) Chris Young Pens Personal Tribute To Late Friend
 Following an emotionally-charged performance of “Drowning” during his Opry appearance last week, Chris Young has released the intimate track to all digital and streaming services. The grief-soaked song was penned in tribute to Adam, a close friend of Chris’s who passed away several years ago.

 “When I wrote this song with Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, we each thought of someone that we lost way too soon. For me, it was one of my best friends, Adam. Missing you comes in waves and tonight I'm drowning. This one is for you, brother,” shared Chris last night on social media.
Written by Young with Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, the raw lyrics and vulnerable vocals expose the realities of loss and grief.
 “Drowning” is available now at http://smarturl.it/CYDrowning  and will be included on his upcoming album, RAISED ON COUNTRY, releasing later this year. “Raised On Country” (#12 Billboard/Mediabase) is Chris’s latest single and the title track to his arena and amphitheater headlining tour which resumes this week at Boston, MA’s Xfinity Center and tomorrow at Hartford, CT’s Xfinity Theatre.

(17 June 2019) Five-Time Grammy Nominee Hunter Hayes Brings On The Emotion With “One Good Reason”
The ballad serves as the fourth song off his upcoming album
Country music trailblazer Hunter Hayes continues his trek on a new chapter in his music journey with the release of his new song “One Good Reason.” The emotional ballad, written and produced by Hayes and Sam Ellis, tells the always complicated story of the reasons behind a breakup and serves as the fourth song off of his upcoming album expected later this year. It can be heard HERE
 “'One Good Reason' represents a totally different side of this album and was another very personal song to write,” says Hayes of his latest release. “It’s also one good reason for me to celebrate releasing another song from this upcoming album that I can’t wait for the world to hear.”
The highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalist recently treated his loyal fans at his sold-out CMA Fest fan club party to a performance of the new track, which was officially released at midnight Friday (June 14).



REVIEWS
(11 June 2019) Bruce Springsteen: Western Stars Reviews

Paste Magazine: The subject of “Chasin’ Wild Horses” works himself to exhaustion to quiet his mind, and Springsteen voices him in hushed, resigned tones, backed by a steel guitar that gives way to the kind of vivid, swelling orchestration that ought to accompany an overhead pull-away camera shot as the protagonist rides on horseback through some rugged wilderness.
There are more specific locales on Western Stars (tagged rock), too. It’s a movie set on the title track, where Springsteen sings from the perspective of an aging actor holding on in the twilight of his career. Steel guitar moans over a softly chugging acoustic part and muted shards of piano as the actor muses on the fleeting nature of all things.

Music-news.com (Rating: 5 STARS) Throughout the years Bruce Springsteen has showcased an unparalleled ability to craft compelling characters and vivid scenes. The melodies are often, anthemic, uplifting, and freeing, while ultimately hiding the bigger meaning within the song. 

Lyric Magazine #30SecondReview Loving the experimentation & ambition on this supposedly ‘quiet’ album. Lush orchestration, steel guitars & brass & piano vibes. 'Sleepy Joe’s Cafe’ & ‘The Wayfarer’ Listen to that fire on the title track!

Duncan Warwick Country Music People Editor: Currently listening to the new Bruce Springsteen album. He's supposed to have gone country. We'll see about that... and if I can stay awake I'll confirm one way or another....So far it's like having bloody teeth pulled.....Bloody hard work, and methinks any strings (or anything that might make it a bit more interesting) are all from a keyboard. Oh, and it's not country either......Turns out I was mistaken. Springsteen "brought in an orchestra" for his Western Stars album. Never before has an artist with such a budget managed so successfully to make it sound like one bloke on a keyboard doing all the backing on a Raymond Froggatt record.

(14 June 2019) Azalea’s Ashes At Westfield House London 13 June 2019
It was a privilege for B&G ‘s founder Nick and I to be invited to the first gig by London based Azalea’s Ashes ….well the first in their new format! Fronted by long term friends and musical collaborators Talia Simone and Kelly Lee, the band took a break from live shows due to family commitments but the ladies kept on writing together and their passion for performing and recording was reignited after a recent visit to Nashville ( where I first met them). New bass and lead guitar players have joined the line up ( both perfect fits!) and I predict that this band will be making waves before too long (look out for an EP on the horizon)....Read More Belles And Gals

Watch Azalea's Ashes - The Hanworth Park House Sessions.   Acoustic original recorded live on location at the beautifully broken Hanworth Park House. Please excuse the noise pollution from the planes, its part of life living beneath the Heathrow Flight Path. Hanworth Park House....."A Peek into History" >> YouTube

INTERVIEWS
(11 June 2019) Fight The Pow(h)er:  Elaina Smith's newly-rebranded Breaking Thru With Elaina podcast returned yesterday (6/9) with the first guest of the second season, Maren Morris. "I am so grateful to Westwood One Podcast Network for believing in this message and can’t wait to continue sharing these amazing stories that have been inspiring women and men everywhere," says Smith.
Join Elaina Smith from Nashville as she opens the door to female artists and proves radio listeners want to hear more than male artists. Elaina shines her spotlight on talented female artists and interviews legends, up-and-comers, and everyone in between.


(12 June 2019) Lyric Interviews (By: James Daykin): Joe Nichols On His Upcoming UK Tour, Watching Nashville Change, Hits & Misses And Country Music.

(17 June 2019) Off the Record Podcast Episode #73: Hailey Whitters
Imogen Marshall chats to Hailey Whitters on the concept of 'Ten Year Town' and why she initially felt like a 'Black Sheep' in Nashville. Hailey talks about joining the Girl tour and what she's currently playing on repeat at the moment.


WATCH
(12 June 2019) Cliona Hagan performing Get Your Redneck On. >> YouTube

(13 June 2019) Paul Cauthen "Cocaine Country Dancing" (>> OFFICIAL VIDEO). From the 10-track album Room 41 (Lightning Rod Records) out Sept 8 (Amazon)

(14 June 2019) Michaela Anne - "By Our Design" (>> Official Video) From the album, Desert Dove, out September 27, 2019 on Yep Roc Records

(13 June 2019) The Adelaides - Good Love (>> Official Video) The new single 'is available to stream/download: https://smarturl.it/adelaides_good_love


Filmed in Nashville and Directed by: Chris St. Croix
UK pop/country trio The Adelaides are vocalist / guitarist Paris Georgia, vocalist Alicia Alba and vocalist / guitarist Abi Phillips (Facebook). The release of ‘Good Love’ comes just after their performance at CMA Fest in Nashville on 7 June 2019.
You give me good good love
You give it twenty four seven
Make me feel like i’m in heaven yeah
You give me good good love
(HEY) Lyrics

(16 June 2019) Kezia Gill - Local Man's Star (>> Official Video)

(14 June 2019) Following the release of “Girl At The Bar,” the focal track from her forthcoming EP, Kelsey Lamb released the official music video for the heartbreak song view here:


Directed by Logen Christopher and produced by Stormlight Productions, the music video illustrates the aftermath of a breakup as a heartbroken Kelsey Lamb fixates on the on-screen couple Charlie Evischi and Erika Raen. The production, filmed over the course of one day, was filmed at Mickey’s Tavern in East Nashville. “The filming process was so much fun, I had a few of my friends in this video and it was cool to see the vision of this song come to life with the people who know me so well,” commented Lamb.
This single is Lamb’s most vulnerable song to date. “Girl at the Bar” illustrates how Lamb has dealt with her previous heartbreaks. “I get so frustrated with the way I handle heartbreak. I don’t wear pain on my sleeve, I am the person that puts on a happy face and powers through like nothing ever happened,” explains Lamb. “The vision behind this video was to really capture the idea of what could have happened if I had chosen to be ‘the girl at the bar,’ said Lamb of the new music video. See April 2019 BLOG Post Singer-Songwriter, Kelsey Lamb, announces May 31 release of debut Self-Titled EP

COUNTRY FASHION
(12 June 2019) MAREN MORRIS /strip it down: Playboy feature.
Photo (Harper Smithphoto), Steph Thorpe (Costume Designer/Wardrobe Stylist), Makeup: Lorrie Turk, Marwa Bashir (Kat Von D Beauty, Stila Cosmetics, IT Cosmetics; Lilly Lashes), Hair (Oribe) - Instagram

Maren is seen wearing Anine Bing "Jolene" Cowgirl boots $599 (Image | Product Detail | orchardmile.com $359) A mix of Scandinavian heritage and American energy for timeless style with rock ‘n’ roll edge. 



Related Post Maren Morris: Country music has a problem with sexuality By Mark Savage BBC music reporter: "People in pop and R&B are confident and sexy and sexual, and they're celebrating it - so why don't we, in country, write these songs?"
Instead of just posing the question, she provides the answer - on a new album full of come-hither moments inspired by her marriage to fellow musician Ryan Hurd.
It's there in RSVP, a slinky R&B-tinged track that's heavily indebted to TLC, and it's there in the lovelorn ballad Make Out With Me, which was inspired by the "drunk voicemails" she'd leave her husband when he was out on tour.
"It's just a really fun, sexy song about wanting to jump someone's bones," she laughs. "Real life stuff!"

(16 June 2019) ARDYs: A Radio Disney Music Celebration 2019:
The 2019 ARDYs: A Radio Disney Music Celebration took place on Sunday  at the CBS Radford Studios in Studio City, California. After six years of being known as the “Radio Disney Music Awards,” the event has been rebranded as “ARDYs: A Radio Disney Music Celebration.”

The "Call You Names" Canadian singer-songwriter Tenille Arts was there, joining Madison Beer, to announce Gabby Barrett’s performance. Tenille wore a bold black and white patterned dress from the 2015 Balmain x H&M Collection. The long-sleeved mini dress is adorned with 250,000 hand-sewn beads. Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing and H&M are tempting fashionistas with tailored, textured, and heavily embroidered glorious designs.
She added Femmes Sans Peur (Shoes), H. CROWNE (Jewels), Krista Roser (Styling) - Instagram  >> Instagram Video

"I love being a part of the Radio Disney family," said Tenille following the appearance. "Everything from the red carpet to presenting with Madison Beer was so much fun! I already can't wait for next years ARDYs!"
Tenille will be criss-crossing two countries in the coming weeks promoting "Call You Names," with dates in Phoenix, Norfolk, Milwaukee, Indiana, Alberta and her home province of Saskatchewan.

Gabby Barrett wore a gorgeous Multi Color Sequin Sleeveless Evening JOVANI Jumpsuit (Style #1194 Product | >> Fashion Instagram Video) adding hooped earings (Kendra Scott). American Idol‘s Laine Hardy and Gabby Barrett performed “The Climb” from Hannah Montana: The Movie and Gabby sang her own song >> “I Hope”.





























COUNTRY GOSSIP
(11 June 2019) Miranda Lambert's new song, "Locomotive," is reminiscent of some of her most energetic early material, and in a new interview, the 35-year-old country superstar says she feels re-energized in both her life and her music since her recent marriage to Brendan McLoughlin.
Lambert hit the stage at the 2019 CMA Music Festival in Nashville on Saturday (June 8) to debut a new song titled "Locomotive," which is a rock-influenced country-punk track. Though its musical structure and aggressive tempo are more along the lines of early hits including "Kerosene," the lyrics portray a different perspective on love than some of her more vengeful early work… Read more  

(13 June 2019) Jana Kramer’s husband clarifies cheating ‘deal breaker’ remarks
Jana Kramer's husband Mike Caussin has insisted he "wouldn't walk out" on the singer if she cheated on him, despite his previous remark that her infidelity would be a marriage deal-breaker.
The former American football player raised eyebrows with the controversial claim he wouldn't be able to move past Jana being unfaithful - despite the country music singer giving him another chance after he cheated on her in 2016. But clarifying the comment during a chat on the couple's Whine Down podcast on Monday, Mike explained that he made the comment without thinking about it.

(17 June 2019) Sam Hunt's Not Joking About His Traditional Country Transition
When Sam Hunt told Taste of Country he was dreaming of a more organic, traditional country future, he wasn't being hyperbolic or going through a phase. The "Body Like a Back Road" hitmaker and symbol of country music's rapid shift toward a more cross-genre, pop-friendly approach says his next album is not shaping up to be nearly as progressive as his first.

PHOTO
(10 June 2019) Jabba The Mutt: Miranda Lambert's MuttNation Mutt March
“To the uninitiated, it probably sounded like dogs barking. But to me, knowing the pure joy that comes with owning a rescue dog – or eight – it was music to my ears,” said country’s favorite animal-loving superstar, Miranda Lambert, who led the mile-long MuttNation Mutt March from Nissan Stadium to Walk of Fame Park. “We were all marching on behalf of MuttNation to raise awareness for shelter pet adoption and in support of animal rescues across the country – and because it’s fun and it’s our passion” she continued. Over 1,300 animal lovers joined Miranda, Bev Lambert, and Dan & Abby Smyers, for Thursday morning’s pup-parade; including several hundred mutt-loving fans who participated from their hometowns as part of the Virtual March.





















After the MuttMarch concluded at Walk of Fame Park, Bev Lambert, Miranda’s mom and MuttNation co-founder, along with MuttNation Board members, staff, volunteers, and fans headed to Xfinity Fan Fair X across the street at Music City Center where MuttNation hosted its 4th annual CMA Fest Adoption Drive. Both the MuttNation MuttMarch and Adoption Drive were presented by Tractor Supply Company.

(12 June 2019) Promo Sapiens: Broken Bow's Chase Rice and promo team celebrate two-week No. 1 "Eyes On You."
Pictured (l-r) are Ashley Wojcinski, Lee Adams, Matt Holmberg, Rice, Shelley Hargis Gaines, Layna Bunt, Scotty O'Brien and Dawn Ferris.





















BIRTHDAYS
June 17: Russell Smith (Amazing Rhythm Aces) (1949), B J Cole (1946), the late Red Foley (June 17, 1910; died Sept 19, 1968 (aged 58)), Mickey Guyton 
June 18: Julie Reeves (1974), Marty Haggard (1958), Blake Shelton (1976) 
June 19: the late Lester Flatt (June 19, 1914; died May 11, 1979 (aged 64)), Doug Stone (1956)
June 20: Anne Murray (1945), the late Chet Atkins (June 20, 1924; died June 30, 2001 (aged 77)), Chuck Wicks (1979)
June 21: Allison Moorer (1972), Kathy Mattea (1959)
June 22: Kris Kristofferson (1936), the late Roy Drusky (June 22, 1930; died Sept 23, 2004 (aged 74))
June 23: Pake McEntire (1953), Diane Trask (1940), the late June Carter (June 23, 1929; died May 15, 2003 (aged 73)), Katie Armiger (1991) 

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