BREAKING NEWS
Country News – June 5, 2019
with Shannon McCombs
This week you’ll hear Chris Stapleton talk
about the big advantage of living so close to Country Music’s biggest festival!
And hear what Trisha Yearwood has to say about her new song, "Every Girl
in This Town." Plus… can you guess what country band is celebrating 35
years on the road this year?
UK NEWS
On the BBC Radio 2 Playlist
for the week commencing Saturday 1 June 2019
A Playlist
Keith Urban feat. Kassi
Ashton - Drop Top upgraded to the “A” Playlist
Taylor Swift - ME! (feat. Brendon Urie)
C Playlist
Yola - Shady Grove added to the “C” Playlist
OUT
Maren Morris - The Bones removed from the “B” Playlist
(27 May 2019) Triple Fret Announce Stellar Line
Up
Newly found new label and artist management company Triple Fret Entertainment
announced their roster: Two Ways Home, Clara Bond, O
and O (duo) and singer-songwriter Amy Kathryn.
(29 May 2019) EP 06 - In Conversation with Katy
Hurt Country Music - The Inside Track (Apple Music)
In this episode Samantha Melrose and Alex Krupa (Alex
Krupa’s Country Show on Andover Radio) talk to Katy
Hurt in the studio about all things
country and what to expect from her for the rest of the year, plus a live
session....
(30 May 2019) The Long Road Festival revealed even more artists who will be joining the line up!
The Americana Music Association UK have picked the
very best homegrown talent to take over The Front Porch on Friday
afternoon. One of these exciting up and comers could be your new favourite
Country artist – be sure to stop by Fair County to catch them - Line-up
(1 June 2019) UK Country Radio Stage debut stage
at Welshpool hand-picked by the top DJs of UK Country Radio.
UKCountryRadio.com have announced their own acoustic stage at this
summer's Welshpool country and western Festival. Join them on Saturday 20th and
Sunday 21st with live music from Jaspers Daughter, The Interval, Johnny
Chirnside, Louise Parker, Helena Mace, Saskia Vese, Nick Ward, EJA3 - Elbow
Jake Acoustic Band, Steve Bonham, and Tennessee Waltz.
Go here for more Festival details and bookings:
(2 June 2019) Carrie
Underwood will be playing The
2019 Glastonbury Festival on Saturday 29 June 2019 performing on the Pyramid
Stage (13:15 - 14:15) Line up 2019
The Mavericks play The Acoustic Stage on Friday 28 June 20:00 -
21:00
Catherine McGrath will play The Acoustic Stage on Saturday 29 June 2019
(12:50 - 13:20)
YOLA will play The AVALON STAGE on Sunday 30 June (13:55 - 14:55)
Norfolks Jake Morrell will play the BIMBLE INN
on Sunday 30 June
UK TOUR & GIG
UPDATES:
UK CHART NEWS
Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 6 June 2019)
31 May 2019 - 6 June 2019
Its lead slashed from 15.3% to 1.60%, I Don’t
Care was nevertheless No.1 for the third time for Ed Sheeran &
Justin Bieber on consumption of 83,477 units (including 72,316 from
sales-equivalent streams).
Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road” was No.2 for the
fifth week in a row with sales exceeding 80,000 for each of the last seven
weeks. It dipped 3.6% to 82,159 units, remaining at No.2 on paid-for
sales.
Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 6 June 2019)
31 May 2019 - 6 June 2019
Lewis Capaldi’s debut release Devilishly Uninspired To A Hellish Extent
was too strong for the chasing pack, racking up its second straight week at the
summit on sales of 39,741 copies (including 20,221 from sales-equivalent
streams + 19,520 paid-for sales). It also
received a boost from belated release on cassette, with 1,857 sales earning it
a No.1 debut on the format chart.
Consumption of Capaldi’s album was more than three
times higher than its nearest challenger, Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall
Asleep, Where Do We Go?, which revives 5-2 (11,072 sales).
Sales of paid-for albums were 31.7% below same week
2018 sales.
Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 6 June 2019)
31 May 2019 - 6 June 2019
Keifer Sutherland with RECKLESS & ME held at No.1 (5 weeks; #1
peak)
Jessie Buckley with WILD ROSE - OST held at No.2 (7 weeks; #1 peak)
JJ Cale with STAY AROUND held at No.3 (5 weeks; #2 peak)
Maren Morris with GIRL held at No.4 (12 weeks; #1 peak)
Steve Earle & The Dukes with GUY held at No.5 (9 weeks; #1 peak)
Kacey Musgraves with GOLDEN HOUR rose 9-6 (56 weeks; #1 peak)
Yola with WALK THROUGH FIRE rose 8-7 (14 weeks; #1 peak)
Francis Rossi & Hannah Rickard with WE TALK TOO MUCH fell 6-8 (11 weeks;
#1 peak)
Ward Thomas with RESTLESS MINDS fell 7-9 (16 weeks; #1 peak)
Carrie Underwood with CRY PRETTY held at No.10 (37 weeks; #1 peak)
Outside the Top 10
Brooks & Dunn with REBOOT rose 13-11 (8 weeks; #5 peak)
Official Americana Albums Chart Top 40 (Week Ending 6 June 2019)
31 May 2019 - 6 June 2019
Mavis Staples with WE GET BY (Anti) made a debut at No.1, Justin
Townes Earle’s THE SAINT OF LOST CAUSES made a debut at No.6
COUNTRY ALBUM
& SINGLES RELEASES
(31 May 2019) Thomas Rhett - Center
Point Road (Valory)
Debut #1 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#16 UK iTunes all-genres) Sun 2 June:
#1 (#64) | Debut #1 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#1 US iTunes all-genres)
(31 May 2019) Ian Noe - Between the Country
(National Treasury Recordings)
10 Tracks/ Time: 37:43 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #2 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#95 UK iTunes all-genres)
Ian Noe is a singer/songwriter out of Beattyville, Ky.
https://www.facebook.com/iannoemusic/ (5,171 Likes)
(31 May 2019) The Jensen Sisters - Highway
Hippie (EP)
6 Tracks/ Time: 22:17 Amazon UK - UK iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #16 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (# UK iTunes all-genres) | Debut #44
US Country iTunes Album Chart (#229 US iTunes all-genres)
(31 May 2019) Austin Jenckes - If You Grew up
Like I Did (Ole Red Dot)
Debut #14 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#87 US iTunes all-genres)
Jenckes wrote or co-wrote every song on his debut album,
with the exception of lead track “Fat Kid,” written by Lori McKenna, The
Cadillac Three’s Neil Mason and the late Andrew Dorff.
(31 May 2019) Doug Seegers - A Story I Got To
Tell (BMG)
11 Tracks (CMP April 2019 5 STARS) Amazon UK
(31 May 2019) Sack of Lions - White Lightning
(Sower)
Debut #64 US Country iTunes Album Chart
(31 May 2019) Campbell Station - South (EP;
Highway 41 Records)
Debut #82 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#425 US iTunes all-genres)
(31 May 2019) The Maren Morris: Reimagined EP
Maren Morris and Apple Music announce the upcoming
release of a brand new EP titled Maren Morris: Reimagined featuring lovingly
reworked acoustic renditions of three of her biggest hits with influential
Nashville producer Dave Cobb.
As a companion to the EP, Apple Music will also be
releasing a special short film that takes fans behind the scenes in the studio
as Morris-a country music powerhouse known for experimenting with elements of
pop and dance music-shares the meaning behind "GIRL" "The
Bones," and "The Middle" while giving each song a new,
vocal-centric treatment.
(31 May 2019) Kristian Bush - Summertime
Six-Pack (EP; Architect Music Collective)
6 Tracks/ Time: 21:23 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
(31 May 2019) Justin Rutledge - Passages
(Outside Music)
10 Tracks/ Time: 41:34 Amazon UK
(31 May 2019) Madison Kozak - Heartbreak School
(EP)
4 Tracks/ Time: 12:32 Amazon UK -
iTunes - Amazon.com
(31 May 2019) Bailey Rose - Cowboy Bluff (EP;
Bailey Rose)
6 Tracks/ Time: 21:14 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Hometown: From CA to Music City | Affiliation: BMI,
Real Country Records
https://www.facebook.com/baileyrosemusic/ (27,564 Likes)
31 May 2019) Ashley LeBlanc - The Luckiest Girl
in the World (Ashley Leblanc)
Influences: Taylor Swift and The Dixie Chicks | https://www.facebook.com/Ash.LeBlanc.Music (433 Likes)
(31 May 2019) Karleen Watt - Blue Sky Girl
(Music in My Head Records)
Backed by some of Nashville's A-list musicians, this
is a collection of some of this talented songwriter's fan favorites.
https://www.facebook.com/karleenwattmusic (529 Likes)
(31 May 2019) Victoria Laine - Victoria Laine
(Victoria Laine)
(31 May 2019) Dani Taylor - Dani (EP; Dani
Taylor)
5 Tracks/ Time: 16:52 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
(31 May 2019) Casey Chilcott - The Acoustics
(EP) MISS
4 Tracks/ Time: 16:14 Country iTunes
(31 May 2019) Sarah Ryder - Feels Like This
(EP; Busy At Play Publishing)
Sarah Ryder is a songwriter and artist working in
Nashville, TN and is signed to Busy At Play Publishing. She has been writing in
the Nashville market since 2013 and has just completed her first EP "Feels
Like This" produced by Johnny Garcia.
(31 May 2019) Jessica Emily Odgers - The Girl
With Three Names (EP; Jessica Emily Odgers) AUS
Country-Pop singer songwriter from Brisbane Australia
https://www.facebook.com/jessicaemilymusic/ (3,699 Likes)
https://www.facebook.com/jessicaemilymusic/ (3,699 Likes)
(31 May 2019) Lily Kincade - Anywhere (EP;
Birch Street Records)
5 Tracks/ Time: 18:22 Country/ Pop Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut EP. Lily Kincade is a rising country-pop singer
and songwriter originally from Kansas City. She started playing the piano when
she was seven and began to write her own songs at just twelve years old after
deciding to learn to play the guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/thelilykincade/ (1,036 Likes)
(31 May 2019) The Adelaides - Good
Love (Single; Crimson) UK
Debut #1
UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#151, #168 UK iTunes all-genres), then
#2 (#196) | Sat 1 June: #5 (below #400 all-genres) | Sun 2 June: No. 10 #10 UK
Country iTunes (#773 all-genres) | Mon June 3: #42 | Tues June 4: off the top
200
The lyrics throughout Good Love are super
catchy and fun which is one thing I adore about this trio - their fun and
loving side.
The second verse continues the fun and
funky side of the song wonderfully and the lyrics are lyrics the girls have
written from the heart about their relationships which I like a lot. - itskellielou.blogspot.com
Summery vibes and Dixie Chicks harmonies.
Big, sing-along chorus that makes us want to dance. Nice breakdown in final 3rd
& funky percussion brings the song home well. – Lyric Magazine
(30 May 2019) Cliona Hagan - Get
Your Redneck On (Single; Sharpe Music) IRE
Time: 2:28 UK iTunes
Debut #6
UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#346 UK iTunes all-genres), then #12
(31 May 2019) Laura Oakes - The
Middle (Single; FrtyFve) UK
Excited to share my version of ‘The Middle’
by Zedd + Maren Morris
(31 May 2019) Roisin O'Hagan -
Living In the Dark (Single; Art Will Fall) UK
Time: 4:24 Singer/Songwriter iTunes
Debut
#66 UK Country iTunes Singer/Songwriter Chart
CANADIAN NEWS
(28 May 2019) Mackenzie Porter Takes "About
You" To The Top
Mackenzie Porter is proving she's a force to be reckoned with, earning
her first Billboard Canadian Country #1 this week with her chart-topping,
no-nonsense, hook-laden hit "About You."
The Alberta native and Big Loud Records' talent is
marking her success on the charts this week, becoming the 7th Canadian female
artist to reach #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 25 years; and the
first female to do so while signed to an independent Canadian label.
(28 May 2019) NEW MUSIC: Vanessa Lavoie "Pour
Some Sugar on Me"
Vanessa Lavoie has been charming many with her powerful and angelic like voice for
many years now. She is a Country Singer, Songwriter, and Composer with a
touching and powerful voice.
Her album was released on December 3, 2016. On June
6th, 2018, Vanessa announced her signing with Tabletop Records/Spectra Music
Group for the release of the country chart-topping single "Drop The
G" (iTunes). Her Nov 2, 2018 released country cover
of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (iTunes) by the iconic band, Def Leppard, is
quickly gaining ground in the country and rock communities. She plans to
continue working with the label on a full album to be released soon.
NEWS
(28 May 2019) New Nashville Indie Label Launches As
A Home For Female Artists
Country artist Emma White has teamed up with friend and NASHVILLE
businesswoman Jennifer Coyle to launch WHITEHOUSE RECORDS. The
independent label’s first release is WHITE’s single, “Ten Year Town”
(available now on digital platforms), but WHITE and COYLE plan to eventually
sign other female artists. In addition to label services, WHITEHOUSE will also
offer publishing, touring and management. WHITE is booked by WME. Ten Year
Town” is about the struggle of making it as a female artist in the music
industry.
(29 May 2019) ‘The Ty Bentli Show’ Will
Broadcast Live From CMA Fest
Westwood One’s syndicated “THE
TY BENTLI SHOW” will head out of the studio to host live morning
broadcasts from Dierks Bentley’s Nashville venue, WHISKEY ROW, during
NASHVILLE’s CMA FEST from Wednesday, June 5th through Friday, June 7th. Country
artists who will make appearances on those days, beginning at 5a (CT), include
Little Big Town, Scotty Mccreery, Jordan Davis, Walker Hayes, King Calaway, and
many others. Each day’s broadcast will be free and open to the public.
We're taking you to #CMAFest2019! @TheTyBentliShow are coming from @DierksBentley's Bar Whiskey Row in Nashville. 🇺🇸🎶☀️— Country Hits Radio (@countryhitsuk) June 5, 2019
Get them on from 5:00pm! 🧡
📲 https://t.co/UTvdfd3u5C pic.twitter.com/43Bq97LxUV
(30 May 2019) New At Country Radio: Randy Travis "One In A Row"
In the midst of promoting his memoir, Forever and
Ever, Amen, Randy Travis gives fans a reason to celebrate with his first
music release in six years. “One In A Row”, is a song about
missing someone as much as the world has missed the Country Music Hall of Fame
member’s one-of-a-kind baritone since a massive stroke in 2013 affected his
ability to perform. The song, penned by Buddy Jewell and Thom McHugh, was
recorded years before the stroke but never widely released to audiences.
(30 May 2019) Oh Boy Records Signs Artist Kelsey
Waldon
John Prine’s Oh Boy Records has signed its first new artist in 15
years. Kentucky native Kelsey Waldon joins the independent label’s roster. PRINE
announced the signing on the GRAND OLE OPRY stage on TUESDAY (5/28) after the
two artists performed together. Watch the moment here.
OH BOY Dir./Operation JODY WHELAN said, "It's an
honor for us to work with Kelsey. There is an honesty and commitment in her
music, both as a performer and songwriter, that we've long admired. Evident in
all her work is a strong point of view, and a reverence for the culture and
history of Country music and songwriting. She is exactly the type of independent-minded
artist that OH BOY RECORDS was founded to support."
(31 May 2019) Luke Combs Partners With Crocs
Shoes
“I’ve worn CROCS for a long time, and no one loves
them as much as me, so getting the chance to design my own pair of the classic
clog is cool as hell." shared Combs. "I had so much fun creating
these, and hope fans have just as much fun wearing them!”
(31 May 2019) Kenny Rogers Is Hospitalized For
Dehydration
Get well wishes to Country legend Kenny Rogers, who has been admitted to a GEORGIA
hospital and treated for dehydration, according to his publicist, SKH MUSIC's
KEITH HAGAN. ROGERS will remain at the hospital for physical therapy to regain
his strength prior to discharge. HAGAN issued a statement on Rogers’ Friday
(May 31), stating, “He appreciates the concern and well wishes he has received
from his fans and can assure everyone he plans on sticking around through the
years to come.”
(3 June 2019) Business In Front, Horses In Back
Here’s what’s expected as the faithful descend on the
country music mecca for the week’s CMA Fest: Four straight days of record
yee-hawin’ from record crowds in record heat. Instead of listing all of the performers, picture a country artist.
He’s performing. And her. Yep, Lil Nas X, too.
Watching are visitors from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and 36 countries. With
all that going for it, CMA could simply stick with a “if it ain’t broke, don’t
fix it” formula, but CEO Sarah Trahern and her team continue to move the event
forward. Some of this year’s more significant changes will be felt, if not
always seen. Building on last year’s heightened security measures – which
included limiting the size of bags allowed and requiring they be see-through –
Trahern says attendees may need extra time to enter free stages. “Two places
where changes will be impactful are the Budweiser Forever Country Stage and the Chevy
Breakout Stage at Walk of Fame Park,” she says. “We’ll now have controlled
entrance points and security wanding.” Which brings up another change more felt
than seen. “The CMA Close Up Stage has Trisha Yearwood on Thursday, Old
Dominion on Friday, Chris Young on Saturday and Tracy Lawrence on Sunday,” she
says. “One of my personal favorites
is the Ken Burns country music panel, where the film’s
writer and producer Dayton Duncan will lead a discussion with Marty Stuart,
Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea and Ketch Secor.” – CMA Fest Line Up
UK Acts:
The Adelaides perform FRIDAY, JUNE 07, 12:05PM - 12:30PM Maui
Jim Broadway Stage At Bridgestone Plaza
The Wandering Hearts perform SATURDAY, JUNE 08, 3:40PM - 4:05PM
Nashville Acoustic Corner
AWARDS
(28 May 2019) Recipients of Special Awards for the
54th ACMs are:
Brooks & Dunn and Martina McBride, Cliffie Stone Icon Award
Miranda Lambert, Gene Weed Milestone Award
Kacey Musgraves, Jim Reeves International Award
Rodney Crowell, Kye Fleming and Billy Joe Shaver, Poet's Award
Shane McAnally, Songwriter of the Year Award
A Star Is Born, Tex Ritter Film Award.
Winners will be recognized at ACM Honors Aug. 21 at
Nashville's Ryman Auditorium
TV
(29 May 2019) Capitol Records Nashville’s Caylee Hammack made
her powerful national TV debut on TODAY Wednesday morning (May 29), performing
her breakout single “Family Tree” live. Available to watch HERE, the striking performance showcased
Hammack’s vocal chops on the track that was co-written and co-produced by
Hammack and was the most-added debut song by a female artist upon impact at
Country radio in over three years.
BABY NEWS
(29 May 2019) It's a boy for Chris and Morgane
Stapleton! Morgane revealed more details about the couple's fifth
child in an Instagram post on Wednesday (May 29).
"Sweet boy ... It's hard to believe almost a
month has already gone by," Stapleton writes in the caption of a photo of
her newborn son in his hospital bed. "Time flies faster than I ever
thought imaginable. My heart is so full!"
MUSIC NEWS
(29 May 2019) Extremely rare Beatles performance among 'lost' footage to be
shown for the first time in more than 50 years
Long-lost performances of major international artists
including The Beatles, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and The Hollies was shown
for the first time in more than 50 years at Birmingham City University on
Saturday 1 June.
The clips feature Top of the Pops performances from
1966 and will be revealed to an audience at a special day-long public event
following the discovery by TV experts Kaleidoscope.
The footage was believed to have been lost forever, until David Chandler, a music enthusiast, contacted Kaleidoscope after seeing recent publicity on BBC television about another Beatles discovery.
The footage was believed to have been lost forever, until David Chandler, a music enthusiast, contacted Kaleidoscope after seeing recent publicity on BBC television about another Beatles discovery.
In April 2018 the BFI and Kaleidoscope launched a
campaign to find the Top 100 Lost TV shows. Number 2 on that list was Top of
the Pops. More than 200 lost performances were donated on videotape by one
collector, and then David Chandler handed a series of 8mm film reels to
Kaleidoscope, which specializes in finding 'lost' video and TV shows,
previously believed to have been wiped from archives and deleted forever.
Kaleidoscope's experts digitally remastered the
footage and enhanced the sound to revitalise the on-stage performances, which
includes major hits including Birmingham's Spencer Davis Group, as well The
Troggs and the Small Faces.
(29 May 2019) Warner Bros. Records evolves into
Warner Records
61 years after the founding of Warner Bros. Records, the renowned label is being
rebranded as Warner Records across the globe. This marks the latest step
in the company’s evolution, following Aaron Bay-Schuck joining as U.S.
Co-Chairman & CEO in October 2018, Tom Corson being appointed U.S.
Co-Chairman & COO in January 2018, and Phil Christie being named President
of the UK label in 2016. The name change also follows the U.S. company’s recent
move to a new, state-of-the-art headquarters in downtown LA’s Arts District.
Warner Records
has unveiled a bold new logo, with an artful simplicity and impactful
typography that are ideally suited to the digital world. The circular icon –
suggesting a record, a sun, and a globe - is a nod to the label’s past,
present, and future. The openness of the design gives it the flexibility to
embrace all Warner Records artists and all genres of music around the world.
(31 May 2019) Billboard's 2019 Country Power
Players List Revealed
As the genre’s brightest stars expand their sound and
attract a growing global audience, the 100 industry leaders on Billboard’s fifth annual Country Power Players list
celebrate the past year’s $1.34 billion earnings in sales, streaming and
touring.
(2 June 2019) Rollingstone Apple
Is Finally Killing iTunes Farewell to a clunky but world-shattering icon
It’s the end of a music era. Nearly two decades after
launching iTunes and ripping up the
retail-store model of album purchases, Apple is ready to retire the iconic
product, according to Bloomberg. During the software keynote at its annual Worldwide
Developers Conference in San Jose, California next Monday, the tech giant is
set to replace iTunes with standalone music, television and podcast apps.
The move, which has been rumored for years now, will
align Apple’s media strategy across the board: iPhones and iPads already offer
separate Music, TV and Podcast apps in lieu of the centralized iTunes app that
lives on Macs and Macbooks. Users can expect the new Music app to offer some of
the same functionalities that iTunes currently does — such as purchasing songs
and syncing phones — just with a sleeker interface that’s free of the outdated
and oft-bemoaned features of the heritage product, and more closely bundled
with streaming service Apple Music.
(3 June 2019) Spice Girls fans left furious
following 'chaos' at gig
Spice Girls fans have vented their fury over overcrowding and disorganization which
reportedly led to crushes at their gig in Coventry, England.
The iconic girl group played the first of two planned
shows at the city's Ricoh Arena on Monday, as part of their Spice World - 2019
Tour.
However, fans complained they were left stranded outside in a car
park, causing them to miss support act Jess Glynne. Others angrily claimed
that, due to the delays, concertgoers were rushed through turnstiles without
bag checks, creating dangerous and frightening crushes.
PRESS RELEASES
(20 May 2019) Eric Church Continues To Defy The
Rule Book As He Becomes The First Artist To Headline Nissan Stadium Solo
For the first time in its 20+ year history, Music
City’s Nissan Stadium hosted a live show featuring a singular artist, sans
opening act, as multi-Platinum superstar Eric
Church is set to make his
stadium-headlining debut Saturday, May 25. As usual, the country music renegade
is doing it his own way.
In keeping with all previous dates on the Double Down
Tour, Church alone will perform three hours of music spanning his entire
six-album catalog. Remarking on the true uniqueness of this touring approach,
Pitchfork declares that he “proves himself the rare star trying to change the
game from the inside” while Stereogum notes that he is “at the top of his genre
because he breaks its rules in big, exciting, arena-filling ways.”
Last time a Church tour stopped in Nashville was
indeed an “arena-filling” night, as he set an attendance record at Bridgestone
Arena with 19,000 fans in the building.
UPDATE: Eric Church’s Marathon Solo Performance
At Nissan Stadium Sets New Attendance Record: 56,521
After delaying the show open to allow the new
record-setting concert crowd of 56,521 fans into Nissan Stadium, multi-Platinum
superstar Eric Church appeared at the end of his 50-yard-line catwalk beneath a
single spotlight to set the tone for the marathon Saturday night ahead. Adorned
in his trademark aviators, t-shirt and a Gibson guitar, Church opened his first
headlining stadium show with “Drowning Man” before meeting powerhouse backup
singer Joanna Cotten center stage for “Country Music Jesus” and what could have
been the official mantra of the evening: “That’s Damn Rock & Roll.”
“I came here 15 years ago and I had dreams,” he
explained of Nashville to his loyal Church Choir, “but I’m not sure I could
dream this big. Tonight is a special night for me and you know this if you’ve
been to any of our shows on the Double Down Tour… I’m gonna give you everything
I’ve got all night long, and tonight is going to be a revival. I promise you.”
(29 May 2019) Travis Tritt Unleashes a Career
Spanning Set of Enduring Classics in the Premiere of Travis Tritt: Homegrown
Get ready for a
double dose of “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” as AXS TV puts the spotlight on GRAMMY-winning
Country star Travis Tritt with the premiere of the unforgettable concert event
Travis Tritt: Homegrown on Sunday, June 2 followed by Tritt’s candid
conversation with Dan Rather in an all-new episode of The Big Interview on
Tuesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Filmed live last year at Bell Auditorium in Augusta,
Georgia, Travis Tritt: Homegrown finds the beloved chart-topper performing in
his home state and rocking to a packed house with some of his most enduring
hits. During the night, Tritt entertains the audience with his thoughts on
songwriting, his life-long respect for veterans, and his experience with the
legendary Waylon Jennings, and delivers an impressive career-spanning set
featuring a wide range of classics such as “Put Some Drive In Your Country,”
“I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Whisky On Ice,” “Country Club,” “Here’s A Quarter
(Call Someone Who Cares),” “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” and “Lonesome, On’ry And Mean,”
among many others. Tritt sings “It’s a Great Day to be Alive,” in this first-look
clip.
(31 May 2019) Johnny Russell, “All You Gotta Do
Is Act Naturally,” Released By Country Rewind Records: Bringing
Unreleased Traditional Country Music into The Contemporary Country Era
“All You Gotta Do Is Act Naturally” consists of tracks that have not been heard for decades and never commercially released. The tracks were recorded in Nashville for broadcast use only and have been hidden from the public. The original authentic sound is respected and supplemented with updated instruments and background vocals, to bring the new recordings into the contemporary country era.
(31 May 2019) Singer/Songwriter Scott Southworth
Set To Entertain Fans During CMA Fest Week
During CMA Fest, fans from all over the world will
convene in Nashville to meet their favorite country music stars. And on that
list, this year, is Scott Southworth.
The award-winning singer/songwriter has been on radio and festival stages
around the globe earning rave reviews in publications worldwide and taking home
a couple of top honors for his album, "Hey Hillbilly Singer!"
Fans of his honky tonk style could catch Scott
Southworth up close CMA Fest week, beginning at the live KIIC Classic
Cafe broadcast from the Yard Sale of the Stars at the Music City Bar and
Grill on Tuesday, June 4th at 12 noon.
Scott then hosted the annual Moore and Moore Fan Club
Party. Southworth joined his Music Row co-host, Heino Moeller to entertain the
crowd at the Nashville Nightlife Theatre on Tuesday, June 4th from 6pm to 10pm.
The lineup included the hosts, Carrie and Debbie Moore, Mel Tillis Jr., Moe
Bandy Joe Stampley, Wade Hayes, Bill Anderson and Mark Wills. Southworth will
also perform his hit songs.
(31 May 2019) Country Music Artist and
Songwriter Matt Kennon Announced Emotional release Of “Love Is Stronger”
A thread that runs through the new music is definitely
love, and its awe-inducing power to lift us up, stir our souls, or crush us in
its wake when it goes. It’s a subject Kennon is intimately familiar with, and
the material is well-suited for the hard-working artist who is finally coming
into his own creatively and hitting his stride.
(3 June 2019) Hootie & The Blowfish Launch
Highly-Anticipated Group Therapy Tour With “Crowd-Pleasing” Opening Weekend
After a decade-long hiatus from full-time touring,
iconic pop-rockers Hootie & the Blowfish “clearly seemed thrilled to be back on stage with a
sellout crowd in front of them,” as the Raleigh News & Observer remarked of
Friday night’s concert, the second of three shows launching the Group
Therapy Tour which drew over 19,000 in attendance in spite of a rain delay.
 |
| Hootie & the Blowfish launched the Group Therapy Tour with stops in Virginia Beach, Raleigh & Atlanta | Photo Credit: Todd and Chris Owyoung |
The third night of opening weekend, Atlanta Journal Constitution proclaimed, “this is a well-produced nostalgic romp featuring a setlist stacked with singalongs, an effective stage show (sharp lighting, major video screen action) and a band that sounds record perfect,” also noting that “what this return to the road will demonstrate for those who have been out of the Hootie orbit [as the band continued to play select annual concerts] is that the hits still hold up.
REVIEWS
(31 May 2019) Kip Moore Room to Spare Acoustic Tour
Cadogan Hall, London review by PIP ELLWOOD-HUGHES | Performance date: 30th May 2019Entertainment
Focus
Rating: 5/5 (Moore is a true showman; Fantastic vocals and set list;
Captivating energy) Read Full review here
Set list: 1. Bittersweet Company 2. Blonde 3. Running
For You 4. Complicated 5. Faith When I Fall 6. Wild World (new song) 7. Magic
8. It Ain’t California 9. Reckless (Still Growin’ Up) 10. Plead the Fifth 11.
Just Another Girl 12. Last Shot 13. Somethin’ Bout a Truck 14. Wild Ones 15.
The Bull 16. Come and Get It 17. That Was Us 18. Hey Pretty Girl 19. Mary Was
the Marrying Kind 20. Guitar Man
(1 June 2019) Maren Morris GIRL World Tour Royal
Albert Hall, London live review by PIP ELLWOOD-HUGHES Performance date:
31st May 2019
Last night was a big moment for Morris but it was also
a huge moment for her fans. In three years she’s gone from the Satellite Stage
at C2C to headlining the Royal Albert Hall, which is pretty incredible.
Rating: 5/5 (Morris exuded confidence and had excellent stage presence;
Perfect set list; The vocals were magnificent) Read Full review here
Set list: 1. Girl 2. The Feels 3. 80s Mercedes 4. A
Song For Everything 5. Common 6. To Hell and Back 7. All My Favourite People
(with RaeLynn) 8. I Could Use a Love Song 9. Seeing Blind (with Niall Horan)
10. Make Out With Me 11. Gold Love 12. Flavour 13. Second Wind/Halo 14. Good
Woman 15. Once 16. The Bones 17. RSVP 18. Rich 19. My Church 20. Shade 21. The
Middle
(1 June 2019) RaeLynn, Royal Albert Hall, London
live review by LAURA COONEY | Performance date: 31st May 2019
Rating: 4/ 5 (High energy performance; Great stage
presence; Love Triangle was a highlight) Read Full review
Set list: 1. God Made Girls 2. Keep Up 3. Bra
Off/Thank U, Next (Ariana Grande cover) 4. Love Triangle 5. Queens Don’t 6.
Only In A Small Town 7. Tailgate 8. Rowdy
(2 June 2019) Lisa Wright, Hoxton Bar &
Kitchen, London live review opening for Jillian Jacqueline by LAURA COONEY Entertainment
Focus Performance
date: 1st June 2019
Rating: 4.5/ 5 (Gorgeous distinctive vocals; Warm and
engaging stage presence; Raw and honest lyrics) Read Full review
Set list: 1. Tennessee 2. Everything Changes 3. Giving
Up The Ghost 4. Why Would I Wanna 5. Back To You 6. In The End
WATCH
(31 May 2019) Cassadee Pope - FYI (Official Lyric Video)
He was sayin' you were casually datin'
When we ran into each other maybe once or twice
Said if he kissed me that it wouldn't be cheatin'
You can run with it, do with it what ever you like
It's just an FYI
COUNTRY FASHION
Styling (Joseph Cassell Falconer), Hair (Anna Cofone), Makeup (Francesca Angelina Brazzo).
She shared on Instagram: “I can’t even measure the
happiness in my heart from last night’s show at Royal Albert Hall. Headlining
that room has been a goal of mine for so long and last night, it felt like a
lucid dream. I cried when I got back to the hotel because it’s bittersweet that
this tour is done”
🇬🇧LONDON🇬🇧 Words can’t even measure the happiness in my heart from last night’s show at Royal Albert Hall. Thank you @NiallOfficial for coming out and thank you to my band, crew, and you guys for making this tour so memorable. 😭 pic.twitter.com/q3lBuskZ8F— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) June 1, 2019
COUNTRY GOSSIP
(28 May 2019) Carrie Underwood's tour
introducing kids to dad's Canadian homeland
Country superstar Carrie
Underwood is making the most of
having her family join her on tour by introducing her sons to their father's
Canadian roots.
The singer is currently on the North American leg of
her Cry Pretty Tour 360 with her husband Mike Fisher and their boys Isaiah,
four, and four-month-old Jacob in tow, and the trek has given the couple the
opportunity to explore more of the retired ice hockey star's homeland as a
family.
On Sunday (26May19), Carrie posted a photo of the
packed crowd at her weekend gig in Vancouver on Instagram, and captioned the
image, "Cool shot of the stage from last night's show in Vancouver...the
first of our run of shows in Canada...
"This is Jacob's first big tour of the Great
White North! I'm glad the kiddos are getting to learn more about where they
come from! #MarriedToACanadian #OCanada #CryPrettyTour360".
(2 June 2019) Thomas Rhett ready for more kids
Country singer Thomas
Rhett is ready to dive back into new
fatherhood and make his wife's dreams of having a big family come true.
The couple found itself juggling two young daughters
in the summer of 2017, after Rhett's wife Lauren fell pregnant while
they were in the process of adopting a one-year-old child from Uganda.
They have since adjusted to life with three-year-old
Willa Gray and her baby sister Ada James, who turns two in August (19), and
although Rhett admits their family life can be a little hectic, he would love
to give his girls a new sibling.
"When you're banking on one and then all of a
sudden two happens, you're like, 'We basically had twins!'" he smiled on
U.S. breakfast show Today. "It was tough (to adjust), but now we're like,
'Man, let's have some more. Two's good, let's go to three.'"
The Die a Happy Man star's comments emerge months
after 29-year-old Rhett revealed Lauren had set her sights on expanding their
family three more times within the next five years.
"Lauren wants to have five kids before she turns
34. That is her plan," he told Access Hollywood last summer. "So, you
can probably expect three new babies in the next five years. She's the
boss."
At the time, the couple was undecided about whether
the next baby would be biological or adopted.
PHOTO
(3 June 2019) My One And Lonely: Big Machine Records' Midland stopped by The Ty Bentli Show as
part of the Undeniable Artist of 2019 series. Pictured (l-r) are Bentli, the
trio's Jess Carson, Mark Wystrach and Cam Duddy and the show's Tricia
"TJ" Jenkins and Chuck Wicks. Listen to the interview and in-studio
performances here.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
June 2 : Emma Jade (UK),
June 3: Jamie O'Neal (1968), Thorne Hill (UK)
June 4: the late Freddy Fender (June 4, 1937; died Oct 14, 2006 (aged 69)), Kasey Chambers (1976)
June 5: Brett James (1968), Gail
Davies (1948), Susanne Cox (June
5, 1967 The Cox Family; mandolin, vocals),
June 6: Lisa Brokop (1973)
June 7: M C Potts (1968), the late Wynn
Stewart (June 7 1934; died July 17, 1985 (aged 51))
June 8: Vernon Oxford (1941), Sturgill
Simpson (1978), Brenda Burch
June 9: the late Les Paul (June 9, 1915; died Aug 12, 2009 (aged 94)), Willard Cox (June 9, 1937 The Cox
Family; fiddle, vocals), Catherine McGrath (1997)
Ahhh when your fave place ever @jenisicecreams gives you FREE BIRTHDAY ICE CREAM with a lil candle and everything 😍 I love 22 already. pic.twitter.com/JmrPXCkxwK— Catherine McGrath (@imcathmcgrath) June 9, 2019
R.I.P
(29 May 2019) Longtime ASCAP VP Ralph Murphy
Mourned
Songwriter, publisher, producer and artist Ralph Murphy passed
away Tuesday (May 28) following a brief illness. He was 75. A longtime ASCAP
executive, he also served as NSAI President, head of the Nashville chapter of
the Recording Academy and a national NARAS trustee. Among his successes as a
songwriter were Jeannie C. Riley's "Good Enough To Be Your
Wife," Crystal Gayle's "Half The Way," Ronnie Milsap's
"He Got You," and Kathy Mattea's "Seeds." A British-born
Canadian, Murphy was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in
2012 and honored with the CMA's Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement
Award in 2011.
Willingly opening doors for newcomers to Nashville,
the British-born Canadian, who had lived in Music City since the late 70s and
was known to some as "Da Murph," produced platinum-selling albums for
April Wine, and wrote or co-wrote songs that were covered by Randy Travis,
Shania Twain, Sir Cliff Richard, Ray Price and more. He
was publisher and co-owner with Roger Cook of Picalic Group of Companies.
"RALPH always fought for what was best for all
songwriters and I will miss his unique perspective and incredibly valuable
insights,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “He was a loyal ambassador for
songwriters whose heart was always in the right place. All of us at ASCAP have
lost a great friend and one of our best advocates. We will miss his
storytelling, his humor and the warmth and love he shared with so many.”
He also authored the book “Murphy’s Laws of
Songwriting,” and was a frequent guest speaker on the topic of songwriting at
colleges, universities and industry organizations. He would have celebrated his
40th year as an ASCAP songwriter in September.
A few weeks ago, Murphy was in Toronto at Canadian
Music Week, chatting with friends and admirers, who were often one and the
same. Not too long before that, on April
1, he was in town to accept a special achievement award from The Society of
Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada at the SOCAN Awards "for
his prodigious achievements in songwriting and his lifetime commitment to
passing along his great wisdom to aspiring music creators."
MURPHY is survived by his wife Louise Murphy, his
children Shawn Murphy and Kerry Murphy, and two grandchildren.
TRIBUTES
Patricia Conroy wrote: With all my heart hurting I will say goodbye
and publicly thank Ralph Murphy for his kind and generous nature, his ease with
a smile or a story, and his great advice.
We wrote together when I first moved to Nashville. He
made me feel so special in a town crowded with talent.
My favourite memories of Ralph are chatting about life
in a bar... He always had time. I wish we had more. Rest in Peace Ralph Murphy
Michelle Wright wrote: Bear with us as we all come to terms with the
passing of Ralph Murphy. There may be a lot of posts because he meant a lot to
so many of us. This is one of mine and Marco's favorite songs that he co-wrote
with Pat Alger "seed by Kathy Mattea
(29 May 2019) Songwriter, artist, producer and
independent label head Dan Mitchell died Wednesday (May 22). Best known as the co-writer
of Alabama's hit "If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You
Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)," Mitchell also penned songs recorded by The
Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Connie Smith, Waylon Jennings, Roy
Clark and George Jones. As an independent label head, Mitchell ran
Little General Records and Verastar Records. He also wrote, sang and produced
national ad jingles for Toyota and Miller beer and penned jingles for Dole
pineapple, Lucky Strike cigarettes, Bella Napoli and more. No word on
arrangements.
(31 May 2019) Well respected Australian country
musician and record producer Glen Hannah has died.
The husband of country star Felicity Urquhart, Glen Hannah worked
with hundreds of artists in the industry and helped craft some of the best
albums in country music.
In January 2017, he was named Musician of the Year
at the Golden Guitar Awards by the Country Music Association of Australia.
Felicity and Glen married in 2009. Their eldest
daughter Tia was born in 2011, Ellie in 2013.
As well as his work as an in-demand musician and
record producer, Glen also produced the ABC radio program "Saturday Night
Country" hosted by Felicity.
Hundreds of people paid tribute to the late maestro on
social media:
Amber Lawrence said her and her family would be praying for
Felicity: "I'm heartbroken for you and your girls, and forever grateful
for the magic Glen brought to us all in music and life."
Tamara Stewart - No words. Just love and prayers Fliss. Xx
Brooke Eckersley - This is absolutely heart shattering, thinking of
you and the girls and all your family so much love and strength coming your way
xxx
Melinda Schneider - We are so sorry. Saying constant prayers for you
Felicity Urquhart, sending love and strength to you and those beautiful girls.
xxxxxxxx
Glen Hannah Appeal https://supportact.org.au/glen-hannah-appeal/
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