C2C

Thursday, 25 July 2019

Country Bites News snippets July 15 – July 21, 2019


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

BREAKING NEWS
Country News – July 24, 2019 with Shannon McCombs
This week, Shannon talks with Michael Ray as he celebrates his third #1 song! Find out who his musical heroes are. Plus… Steve Wariner and Alabama reach HUGE career milestones. And… Ronnie Dunn is recording again!


UK NEWS

(19 July 2019) Wildwood Kin launch their beautiful second single to be taken from their upcoming eponymous album
Wildwood Kin’s next single, “Beauty In Your Brokenness” takes inspiration from the Japanese pottery-art of “Kintsugi” in which broken pottery is put back together using lacquer dusted with gold powder, to make a unique piece of art with intricate patterns only the brokenness creates.
Following another busy summer of festivals, including an incredible performance at Glastonbury, family acoustic-rock trio
Wildwood Kin continue to build momentum for the release of their self-titled sophomore album on 4th October (iTunes) by sharing their second track from it - the beautiful ‘Beauty in Your Brokenness’. Watch the lyric video for the single here:


UK TOUR & GIG UPDATES

Link to Country Routes News Gig Page Image Map

UK CHART NEWS

Official UK Top 100 Singles Chart (Week Ending 25 July 2019)
19 July 2019 - 25 July 2019
A week after his sixth No.1, I Don’t Care (with Justin Bieber) completed an eight-week run at the summit, Ed Sheeran racked up his seventh No.1 with Beautiful People (feat. Khalid, 3-1, 73,397 sales; 68,095 streaming points + 5,302 paid-for sales), has the week’s two highest new entries with Take Me Back To London (feat. Stormzy, No.3, 55,609 sales) and saw a return to peak for Cross Me (feat. Chance The Rapper & PNB Rock, 8-4, 54,554 sales). All three tracks are from Sheeran’s new album No.6 Collaborations Project.

Official UK Top 100 Albums Chart (Week Ending 25 July 2019)
19 July 2019 - 25 July 2019
Ed Sheeran claimed the UK’s fastest-selling album of 2019 so far as his No.6 Collaborations Project debuts at Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart.
Ed’s collection of collaborations, including tracks with Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Eminem and J Hus, racked up 125,000 chart sales and performed well across all formats: 57,000 physical sales, 18,000 downloads and 70.2 million track streams.
Ed’s three previous studio albums all appear in this week’s albums Top 40: Divide at 7, X at 18 (up 23 slots) and + at 37 (up 47 places).

Official UK Country Album Top 20 Chart (Week Ending 25 July 2019)
19 July 2019 - 25 July 2019
Willie Nelson with RIDE ME HOME held at No.1 (4 weeks; #1 peak)
Carrie Underwood with CRY PRETTY held at No.2 (44 weeks; #1 peak)
Jessie Buckley with WILD ROSE - OST rose 4-3 (14 weeks; #1 peak)
Chris Stapleton with TRAVELLER held at No.4 (71 weeks; #1 peak)
Keifer Sutherland with RECKLESS & ME climbed 6-5 (12 weeks; #1 peak)
JJ Cale with STAY AROUND rose 8-6 (12 weeks; #2 peak)
Ward Thomas with RESTLESS MINDS advanced 15-7 (23 weeks; #1 peak)
Buddy & Julie Miller with BREAKDOWN ON 20TH AVE. SOUTH fell 7-8 (4 weeks; #3 peak)
Chris Stapleton with FROM A ROOM - VOL 1 rose 11-9 (107 weeks; #1 peak)
Lucas Nelson/ Promise Of The Real with Lucas Nelson & Promise Of The Real held at No.10 (15 weeks; #8 peak)
Outside the Top 10

Chris Stapleton with FROM A ROOM - VOL 2 rose 13-11 (76 weeks; #1 peak)
























COUNTRY ALBUM & SINGLES RELEASES

(19 July 2019) Emily Mae Winters - High Romance (Emily Mae Winters)
11 Tracks/Time: 37:13 Folk/ Americana Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #3 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#308 UK iTunes all-genres)

(19 July 2019) SaltbushSix - Beyond the Ranch (2019 Millstream Music) AUS  
10 Tracks/Time: 33:45 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com - Spotify
Debut #8 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (#476 UK iTunes all-genres; #578) | Debut #2 AUS Country iTunes Album Chart (#37 AUS iTunes all-genres)

(19 July 2019) We Banjo 3 - Roots to Rise (Live) IRE
14 Tracks/Time: 51:38 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #15 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (# UK iTunes all-genres) | Debut #31 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#248 US iTunes all-genres)
Award-winning quartet WeBanjo3 from Galway, Ireland combine Irish Music with Old-Time American and Bluegrass influences to reveal the banjo’s rich legacy and roots. When this band of brothers take flight in a wave of virtuosity, verve and joie-de-vivre, feet tap and pulses race.
Enda & Fergal Scahill and Martin & David Howley are among the most celebrated and distinguished young musicians in Ireland today. https://www.facebook.com/webanjo3/ (32,539 Likes)

(19 July 2019) Peter Donegan - Peter Donegan (Live) (Peter Donegan) UK
16 Tracks/Time: 1:05:20 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #27 UK Country iTunes Album Chart (# UK iTunes all-genres), then #18 (#1073 UK iTunes all-genres), then #20           
Performed live in the famous Studio 2 at the old Decca Recording Studios, where Lonnie Donegan famously recorded the British Industry Changing hit - Rock Island Line

(19 July 2019) Jenny Tolman - There Goes the Neighborhood (Jenny Tolman)
13 Tracks/Time: 32:59 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com - https://amzn.to/2XPenOp
Debut #28 UK Country iTunes Album Chart | Debut #94 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#693 US iTunes all-genres)           

(19 July 2019) Ryan Hurd - Panorama (EP; Sony Music Entertainment)
4 Tracks/ Time: 14:22 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #23 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#206 US iTunes all-genres)

(19 July 2019) Karissa Ella - Blossom (EP; Karissa Ella)
6 Tracks/ Time: 17:02 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com

(19 July 2019) Lydia Simonds - Lately (EP; Lydia Simonds)
4 Tracks/ Time: 14:49 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #54 US Country iTunes Album Chart (#390 US iTunes all-genres) 
Genre: Christian & Gospel | Hometown: McDonough, GA
About: I am a singer/songwriter/worship leader from Atlanta, GA. I love to get to know new people and leaving them encouraged! I hope my music encourages you!
https://www.facebook.com/LydiaSimondsMusic/ (809 Likes)

(19 July 2019) Jordan Rowe - Jordan Rowe (EP; Jordan Rowe)
4 Tracks/ Time: 13:43 Amazon UK - iTunes - Amazon.com
Debut #108 US Country iTunes Album Chart
           
(19 July 2019) Anita Ree - Not Love Songs (Checked Label Services) AUS
12 Tracks/ Time: 41:00 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #10 AUS Country iTunes Album Chart (#195 AUS iTunes all-genres)

(19 July 2019) Karen Jonas - Lucky, Revisited (Yellow Brick Records)
11 Tracks UK iTunes
Comprising a collection of nine songs released on her first three albums and two covers.
She sahares: Lucky, Revisited is a fresh look at some of my favorite songs on our previous 3 records. After over 5 years of touring, you can bet the songs have grown, and we've grown as musicians too. EP Jackson (engineer/mixing) helped us capture what we do, live in the studio.

(19 July 2019) Derek Ryan - On the Sesh (feat. The Tumbling Paddies) (Single; Sharpe Music) IRE Time: 2:48 iTunes
Debut #6 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart (#213 UK iTunes all-genres)

(19 July 2019) Jess and the Bandits - Don't Let Me Take You Home (Single; After Midnight Girl LLC) US/UK
Time: 4:09 Contemporary Country Amazon UK - iTunes

(19 July 2019) Jade Helliwell - Put It On You (Single; Jade Helliwell) UK
Time: 3:05 Amazon UKiTunes - Spotify
Debut #40 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart, then #36, then #22, then #20 (#925 UK iTunes all-genres), then #25, then #19 (#1045 UK iTunes all-genres) | July 20: #40 | July 21: #76 FBC Review
Lyric Magazine #30SecondReview Catchy, up-tempo song from JH. Nice mix of pop and banjo. ‘I ain’t got time to be acting like a lady’ she sings, urging the guy to make his move. Well written & will be a great live song too.

(19 July 2019) Louise Parker - Rear View Mirror (Single; LouiseParkerMusic) UK
Time: 2:42 Amazon UK - iTunes
Debut #10 UK Country iTunes Singles Chart; then #12, then #18 (#750 UK iTunes all-genres), then #19 | July 20: #81 | July 21: off the top 200
The Essex based singer/songwriter has had a whirlwind few months. The release of singles 'Paradise', 'Chances Are' and 'Paradise (Mouse Remix)' in the first half of the year saw Louise gain many new fans, both in the UK and the US. Then Louise caught the ear of Nick Cantwell (Belles and Gals/BGBB Music Management) with a late stand-in performance at a showcase gig at the famed 'Water Rats' venue in London, who made moves to sign the singer to a management deal immediately.

CANADIAN NEWS
(19 July 2019) HOT AND NEW: BRENDA DIRK Killin It
Brenda Dirk is a Canadian Country Artist who has just returned home from a 3-month trip to Nashville TN. During her time spent in Nashville, she took part in a National Competition taking home 3 first place trophies for Female Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Brenda's latest single "Hell Ya'" was nominated for Country Recording of the Year with the Edmonton Music Awards.

Brenda is excited to say that she will be flying to Toronto in August to take part in Canada's Music Incubator. She is determined to work hard on developing her craft, songwriting and artistry so she can create the best possible music she can for her fans.

She has now released the brand new single titled “Killin’ It”!
This rocking new track focuses on living in the moment & taking every opportunity in front of you to help your dreams turn into reality. The song highlights the expressive & dramatic undertones behind Brenda’s soulful & passionate voice by giving this artist the chance to deliver a highly energetic performance that demonstrates her talent as an artist.
Each element behind Brenda’s voice gets the chance to take centre stage throughout this latest release, which helps to build on the adrenaline behind the lyrics & gives you the chance to develop more of a connection with the song itself.

NEWS

(15 July 2019) Grammy Award-winning MCA Nashville country artist Vince Gill released the third focus track from his upcoming album Okie. The song, "I Don't Wanna Ride The Rails No More," is the first track on the album, and it is clearly inflected with the Okie experience. The album's title is taken from the once-derogatory term used to disparage migrants from Oklahoma, many of whom hopped trains to make it to the west coast during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression eras. Okie releases August 23.

"The whole image of riding a train has such great beauty to it," says Gill, who wrote the song. "It conjures images of The Grapes of Wrath, the Dust Bowl, and people hopping freight trains." Gill continues, "This song has got to come from my experience in order to be able to put it on paper and to have it feel legit and truthful and honest. In my case it could very well be about a bus instead of a train-I've been riding a tour bus for 40 something years now. This is a song of reflection, yearning and hopefulness."

(15 July 2019) County artist and WESTWOOD ONE’s “The Ty Bentli Show” team member Chuck Wicks married Kasi Williams (Instagram) on FRIDAY, JULY 12TH in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico following a four-month engagement. WICKS posted on FACEBOOK, “It was a party from start to finish. We had all of our closest family and friends, and the memories that were made will forever be unmatched.” Williams is the sister of Country superstar Jason Aldean. 
PEOPLE.COM reported that the wedding took place at CABO AZUL RESORT and was attended by 103 guests, including Aldean and his wife Brittany, former Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres player Ryan Klesk, Olympic wrestler and UFC champion Dan Henderson, as well as WILLIAMS’ three daughters. See photos from the wedding here.
In attendance at the wedding — which was coordinated by Amy Abbott Events, photographed by Vivienne Tyler Photography and videoed by AndHer Visuals — was Williams’ youngest daughter, Avery, 8, whom she shares with ex-husband Bill Morstad, as well as her elder daughters, Madison, 19, and Makenzie, 20, whom she adopted during her first marriage after their mother died of breast cancer.

(15 July 2019) Radio Disney Country Opens Music Row Studio
Radio Disney Country has opened a new studio on NASHVILLE’S MUSIC ROW. Located at 1217 16th Ave S., this studio will serve as the home the network’s “Let The Girls Play” feature, hosted by Kalie Shorr and Savannah Keyes, as well as “many other new audio and video opportunities, events and activations,” according to RADIO DISNEY NETWORK GM and VP/Music Strategy Phil Guerini.

You've Gotta Spend: The four-day CMA Fest generated a record $65 million in direct visitor spending, an increase of 6% over last year's $61.2 million "We're incredibly proud that CMA Fest offers us the opportunity to support music education while also making a positive economic impact on the city of Nashville," says CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. "This year, we welcomed visitors from all 50 states and a record 37 international countries. A multi-day event of this size wouldn't be possible without the engagement from our entire community."

(17 July 2019) Engage Meant: Stoney Creek’s Jimmie Allen popped the question to girlfriend Alexis Gale during a trip to Disney World Monday (7/15) surrounded by family and friends. "Alexis, your smile melts me, your pure heart challenges me to love better, the way you motivate and support me is unlike anything I've ever seen, the way you love me is unlike anything I've ever experienced," he posted on Instagram. "It feels incredible to find the type of love I’ve been writing songs about all these years!"

(22 July 2019) Huge congratulations to Hailey Whitters is set to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on August 7th!
(22 July 2019) John Schneider Weds Longtime Girlfriend Alicia Allain
Actor and Country singer John Schneider revealed Monday (July 22) that he married his longtime girlfriend, Alicia Allain, on TUESDAY, JULY 2nd. The couple's ceremony took place at their Louisiana farm in front of close friends and family.

(22 July 2019) Big Loud/Atlantic's Mason Ramsey will release his "TWANG" EP Friday, July 26th. The project is Ramsey's first set of new music in over a year and will mark the first time the 12-year-old vocalist is credited as a co-writer. The EP will include five brand-new songs, including the title track, which was released last month (June 14).

(22 July 2019) Ratings Show Country Decline
Country music is in a slump. While it’s strength and viability as an art form and industry aren’t at all in question, and the extent and duration of decline are open to interpretation, there is no denying the reality. Country is in a slump. A snapshot the June PPM ratings share hit a decade low this year. Because share is a percentage of total radio listening, it is ostensibly not directly affected by consumers choosing other media platforms and, thus, is one of the most reliable indicators of Country’s strength relative to other formats. Across the top 50 markets – where the majority of listening takes place – the data are clear and have been. “This June is one of the lowest ever captured in PPM,” says Nielsen Audio VP/ Audience Insights Jon Miller, “which is troubling since summer is usually a peak for the format.” Admittedly, a one-month slice – even across multiple years – is a limited view. But it undeniably reflects months, perhaps years, of data and ratings weakness that top radio executives have been – and remain – reluctant to discuss publicly for obvious reasons. “The main thing all Country stations have in common is the music,” says one national level executive. “And the music just hasn’t been as compelling lately.”
The music sounds too pop, lacks distinctiveness and isn’t generating interest or conversation in the broader culture.
“The theory is we’re allowing country to become too song driven without developing new superstars,” says Albright & O’Malley
& Brenner’s Becky Brenner. “Country has always been about listener passion for artists. When it becomes harder to distinguish who’s who and there’s an increase of pop sounds in the music, this tends to be the result.”

AMERICANA NEWS
(16 July 2019) Andrew Combs Finds A Little Light In New Single “Save Somebody Else” - Americansongwriter.com

(19 July 2019) Rodney Crowell taps Lyle Lovett for "What You Gonna Do Now?," an infectious slice of Texas country-rock that'll have you swinging into the weekend from TEXAS (out Aug. 15). Listen here

AWARDS

(16 July 2019) Writers' Room: Reba McEntireSam HuntDierks BentleyChris JansonLee BriceDavid Lee MurphyMichael Rayand Dean Dillon are among the artists performing during the 2nd Annual Nashville Songwriter Awards Sept. 17 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Honorees include George Strait (2019 President’s Keystone Award), Loretta Lynn (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award) and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (White Hat Award), as well as the peer-voted Song, Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Year and 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written. More here.

(18 July 2019) Warner Music Nashville/WAR's Gabby Barrett has been named Radio Disney's "Next Big Thing" (NBT). The NBT title honors Barrett as a breakout artist and will highlight her journey to success. As an NBT artist, Barrett will be featured in a series of exclusive videos across several Disney platforms including the Disney Channel, DisneyNOW, Radio Disney, the Radio Disney app and social media.

TV
(15 July 2019) Triple Tigers' Gone West performed "What Could've Been" on Live With Kelly & Ryan (7/15). Watch here.

(17 July 2019) Chris Kläfford: Swedish Singer WOWS America With An Original Song! | America's Got Talent 2019
It’s truly inspiring to hear you sing..you’re something else” said guest judge Brad Paisley.



(18 July 2019) Mercury's Maddie & Tae stopped by NBC's Access Live yesterday (7/18). Watch here.

(18 July 2019) In Case You Missed It: Big Machine's Carly Pearce was highlighted onPBSFront And Center (7/17). Watch here

(18 July 2019) Warner/WEA's Ingrid Andress performed "More Hearts Than Mine" on NBC's Today. Watch here.

(19 July 2019) In Case You Missed It: MCA's Kacey Musgraves performed on NBC's Today Citi Concert Series (July 19. Watch "Slow Burn" here, "Happy and Sad" here, "Oh, What A World" here and "Lonely Weekend" here

BABY NEWS
(17 July 2019) Crib Note: MCA's Jordan Davis and wife Kristen are expecting. "Very blessed to announce that me and my amazing wife are expecting our first child," Davis shared on social media. "Baby Davis will be here soon."

Midland's Mark Wystrach and fianceé Ty Haney are expecting their first child, a daughter, according to a post on Wystrach's Instagram.

(18 July 2019) Crib Note: Capitol's Adam Hambrick and wife Merritt welcomed their second daughter, Heidi Celeste, Friday (July 19). Heidi joins three-year-old sister Gracie Lane. "Mom and baby were blessed with a safe delivery and are doing very well," Hambrick posted. "Remember all that 'bloodshot eyes, watch the sunrise' stuff? Yeah, we’re doing that again.

MUSIC NEWS

(16 July 2019) Could Taylor Swift Re-Record All Her Old Songs? Should She? Legal Experts Weigh In
Taylor Swift has made a career from speaking her mind and making her feelings crystal clear. That includes her widely read Tumblr earlier this month decrying the purchase of her former label, Big Machine, by Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings. Swift called it a "worst case scenario," that, according to the singer, deprived her of the chance to take control of the masters to her first six albums.
But, in a cunning suggestion, fellow "Miss Independent" Kelly Clarkson tweeted over the weekend that Taylor could take back some real estate in the skirmish by going back to "re-record all the songs that U don't own the masters on exactly how U did them but put brand new art & some kind of incentive so fans will no longer buy the old versions….. Read More

On-demand music services including Apple Music, Pandora and Spotify will top $8 billion in revenue in the U.S. this year, up 33% as increased adoption of products like wireless earbuds and smart speakers help drive more music subscriptions, according to a new Consumer Technology Association survey.

According to MBW’s calculations, growth in audio on-demand streaming volume in the United States fell slightly in the first half of this year, both in percentage terms and real terms. New mid-year Nielsen Music data published today (June 27) shows that the US market saw 333.5bn total on-demand audio streams on services like Spotify and Apple Music in the 24 weeks from Jan 4 to June 20, 2019.That was up 27.8%, or 72.5bn, on the 261.0bn audio streams registered in the States in the equivalent period of 2018. However, looking further back at Nielsen’s data shows how this annual growth has actually reduced.

(21 July 2019) Spice Girls Las Vegas residency could net £10 million each
The Spice Girls could reportedly earn as much as £10 million each for a Las Vegas residency.
The iconic girl group - which includes Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Geri Horner - recently enjoyed a successful reunion tour across the UK, and they're now being lined up for a six-week show in Sin City.
A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "The girls are very keen to tour again and there have been lots of discussions about a residency in Las Vegas.
"They've agreed they could all commit to a six-week run during the summer holidays, when the kids are off school."
In June, Mel C insisted she didn't want the Spice Girls reunion to end.
The 45-year-old singer admitted she'd talked with her bandmates about the prospect of extending their tour overseas.
She said: "We're constantly discussing different ways in which we can do that. But I think for us right now, the big thing is we don't want it to end.
"We've had an incredible run here in the UK. We'd really like to get further afield. We've had so many fans that have visited us from all over the world. People have come from New Zealand, North America, South America, everywhere.

PRESS RELEASES

(16 July 2019) GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES SPECIAL EDITION RE-ISSUE: STRAIT OUT OF THE BOX: PART 1
MCA Records Nashville has been home to American music icon George Strait for 30 studio albums-and-counting with the latest offering taking a retrospective look at his illustrious career: a limited-edition special re-issue of his 1995 Strait Out of the Box: Part 1. The best-selling box set will be available exclusively at Walmart starting September 13 and pre-orders have begun.
The 72-track collection takes a delightful trip through Strait’s early recording career, specifically 1981 to 1995, and features 31 No. 1 singles such as “You Look So Good in Love,” “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and “Check Yes or No.” What makes the collection even more special is the fact that each track was personally selected by the Texan himself.

(19 July 2019) Maddie & Tae Share Acoustic New Version Of “Die From A Broken Heart” As Song Surpasses 50 Million Streams
Fresh off the first leg of Carrie Underwood’s The Cry Pretty Tour 360, showcasing "the stage confidence of a seasoned duo whose harmonies soared” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) while introducing new music praised for its "more sophisticated side” (Associated Press), PLATINUM-selling duo Maddie & Tae continue to rack up wide-spread praise and accolades for their current single “Die From A Broken Heart.”  In celebration of “their finest moment yet” (Esquire) quickly mounting over 50 MILLION streams, the award-winning duo are sharing a stripped-back acoustic version of the song. Listen here. 

(20 July 2019) RYAN HURD - "HER NAME WAS SUMMER"
Fresh from their own club tour and various festival appearances back in Nashville, singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd is now releasing his new single " Her Name Was Summer ". Written by Hurd along with Aaron Eshuis and Mike Walker, the song is the romantic counterblow to Hurd's current single "To A T", which continues to rise in the country's radio charts and has more than 50 million streams worldwide. "Her Name Was Summer" is a smoldering snapshot with lyrics like: Picture a girl with a smile make you fall too fast / Yeah, high on a feeling that you do not want to last.
With a total of more than 100 million streams worldwide, Hurd is currently capturing a compelling perspective and rapidly growing fanbase.


(20 July 2019) TYLER CHILDERS - "ALL YOUR'N"
On August 2, singer / songwriter Tyler Childers will release COUNTRY SQUIRE, his third album, with which the 27-year-old simultaneously celebrates his debut on Sony Music label Hickman Holler Records / RCA Records. The recordings took place at the "The Butcher Shoppe" studio in Nashville, directed by Grammy winners Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson (Johnny Cashs Engineer). In addition to Childers (vocals, acoustic guitar) there are some world famous musicians on the album, including Stuart Duncan (violin, mandolin, banjo), Miles Miller (drums, backing vocals) and Russ Pahl (guitars, pedal steel, Jew's harp). Next to "House Fire", the laid-back number " All Your'n " will be released as a 2nd taster of the album.

(22 July 2019) Garth Brooks landed in Boise, ID on Friday (July 19) and Saturday night (7/20), for two back-to-back colossal shows at Albertsons Stadium, hosting record-breaking attendances of 86,000 across both nights and special guest Blake Shelton joining Friday night's show. Brooks and Shelton’s special performance of “Dive Bar” marked the first time the pair has sung the “rowdy” (Rolling Stone) and “anthemic” (Billboard) new track together live.

Photo Credit: 8 Ten Productions, Inc

Since the tour launch, Brooks has broken stadium 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, Denver, CO at Mile High Stadium, Eugene, OR at Autzen Stadium and two sold-out nights at Boise, ID’s Albertsons Stadium shows on 7/19 and 7/20, both of which sold-out in under an hour. The next stop will be Regina, SK’s Mosaic Stadium show on Aug 10 that also sold-out in under a hour, averaging just over 75,000 tickets in each city.

ARTICLES
(19 July 2019) Lauren Jane to Release New Single (written by Mel Osten Bellesandgals.com)
So someone who has been fairly quiet on the UK country music scene lately has been in the Parr Street studios recently…
Lauren Davenport (Lauren Jane) has just recorded 3 tracks at the world famous studio in Liverpool and I had the privilege of hearing the masters this week!....Read More
She released a 4-track EP Lauren Davenport  with Southern Crossroads Music (iTunes) back on Jan 15, 2016.
Lauren Jane: Website | Facebook: @laurenjaneukc  | Twitter: @laurenjaneukc

Listen back to Lauren Jane appearing live on The UK Country Showcase broadcast Sunday July 21, 2019 (The UK Country Showcase” is a 3 Hour weekly show highlighting current British Country Music acts). There was an exclusive first play of her new single “If I Was Whiskey” (“it’s amazing…that is absolutely beautiful, superb” – Simon Birds) due out in 3 to 4 weeks. The single and album tracks were recorded by Justine Johnson (ROOM 3 PRODUCTIONS https://scruffyj.com/)
Broadcasts on Redroad FM (WEBSITE) | WHENSunday 12:00 pm - 15:00 pm: The UK Country Showcase
BLOG: Radio Waves: Radio Presenter Spotlight – SJ Birds “The UK Country Showcase”

Listen back from 1hr 37


REVIEWS
(22 July 2019) ALBUM REVIEW: SaltbushSix - 'Beyond The Ranch' (by Your Life In A Song)
"A successful re-introduction to the Ayers Rockettes guys, and it feels like a new lease of life for front man Darcy Crawford, who more than deserves his break" - Dan Wharton https://buff.ly/2SuQGFa

INTERVIEWS
(15 July 2019) Dan Wharton from Your Life in Song chatted with Lauren Alaina at Dixie Fields - this was a fun one!!

INTERVIEW: LAUREN ALAINA (DIXIE FIELDS)
INTERVIEW: Dan chatted with Dixie Fields Festival headliner Lauren Alaina to discuss her new duet with Chris Young, progress on album 3, 'Ladies In The 90's' and her excitement about being back in the UK!
Posted by Your Life In A Song on Monday, 15 July 2019


(17 July 2019) Lauren Alaina Interview @ Dixie Fields Festival! (by Six Shooter Country).

WATCH

(16 July 2019) Honey County brings the country music community together in their inspiring new music video, “Country Strong.”Premiered by Billboard, the country trio dedicates the video to the resilient country music community and their ability to rise up through hard times. A portion of the profits from the song are being donated to ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music, aimed to develop and fund music-related therapy and education programs, serving members of the community who face unexpected hardships. The song can be streamed here.
“The feel-good pop-country track urges listeners to be strong in the face of adversity. With stunning three-part harmonies, inspiring lyrics and soaring guitar parts, the anthem strikes a chord.” - Annie Reuter, Billboard


(16 July 2019) Hawaiian country artist JoLivi released an accompanying music video to her popular upbeat breakup track, "Better."Premiering exclusively with Sounds Like Nashville, the music video was directed by Pat Barazza and features JoLivi "strutting around Nashville’s famous Printer’s Alley in the wake of an unexpected breakup, and putting the theme of her getting-over-him anthem into action (Sounds Like Nashville)." View the exclusive premiere HERE

(19 July 2019) The Highwomen release debut single & video for “Redesigning Women”
The Highwomen—Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby—released their first single, “Redesigning Women,” from their upcoming self-titled album, which is slated to drop on Sept. 6.
The new track, which was penned by Natalie and Rodney Clawson, was produced by Dave Cobb.
“‘Redesigning Women’ is the life most women are living today,” said Natalie. “We juggle so much in 24 hours and I wanted to write a song that reflected the goodness, the madness and the hilarity of it all.” The supergroup’s name is a play on The Highwaymen—a supergroup that featured Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.


(19 July 2019) Amy Ray travels space in her new music video for the title track of her latest album, HOLLER, out now on Compass Records. Shot on location in North Georgia with SOZO Bear Films, the video follows Ray as an astronaut who enters a wormhole in space and lands in the future, where she encounters herself on her deathbed.
Watch the video HERE - it's out of this world.

COUNTRY FASHION

(15 July 2019) Fall Fashion: Grit & Glam
Inspired by Arizona cowgirls, these looks are a perfect blend of daily ranch life and classy evening vibes. cowgirlmagazine.com

COUNTRY GOSSIP
(16 July 2019) Katy Perry is hoping that others can learn from the way she and Taylor Swift put their differences behind them following their much-publicised feud.
The feud between the pair began in 2014, when Taylor revealed to Rolling Stone magazine that she and Katy had fallen out after the Roar hitmaker nabbed some of the Shake It Off star's dancers for a string of live dates.
However, the duo made amends when Katy reached out to Taylor on the opening night of her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour, sending her a literal olive branch. Katy has since proved she's back on good terms with her former pal by appearing in her video for new track You Need To Calm Down.
And speaking about making up with Taylor during an interview on Australian breakfast radio's The Kyle & Jackie O Show on Wednesday, Katy said she hopes that she and the 29-year-old singer have set an example for others on how to move on from rows.

PHOTO
It was an emotional night for RISER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE artist Luke Combs as he was inducted into the GRAND OLE OPRY Tuesday night (July 16). Vince Gill and Joe Diffie bestowed the honor on Combs, but every other OPRY member performing at last night’s show also walked out onstage in a touching show of support. They included The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan and Mark Wills. Darius Rucker sent along a video message that was played during the induction.


“Here I am on stage with people I grew up listening to and people who have shaped me as an artist,” said a tearful Combs. “I just want to say thank you to you guys, thank you to the GRAND OLE OPRY, and thank you to the fans. You guys should always remember that you are the most important thing that we have, that all of us have on this stage. Without y'all there is no Country music, there is no GRAND OLE OPRY. Thank you so much for everything that you guys do for making this possible for guys like us on this stage. I will never forget tonight!” He then fittingly performed “This One’s For You” as his first song played as an OPRY member.
Backstage, OPRY GM Sally Williams said, “Luke Combs’ love for the Grand Ole Opry is rivaled only by Country music fans’ love of his music and his fellow OPRY members’ appreciation both of his artistry and his friendship. LUKE and all of us at the OPRY have developed an incredible relationship since he made his OPRY debut less than three years ago, and we are thrilled that, as of tonight, he has a musical home for the rest of his career.”

Family Tradition: River House/Columbia's Luke Combs celebrates with his team after being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family by members Joe Diffie and Vince Gill (not pictured) Tuesday night (July 16). Pictured (l-r) are the label's Randy Goodman, day-to-day Sophia Sansone, Make Wake's Lynn Oliver-Cline, Combs, the Opry's Sally Williams, the label's Ken Robold and Make Wake's Chris Kappy.





















(22 July 2019) Signage: Avenue Beat have signed with Big Machine Label Group's Valory imprint and Tape Room Records. The trio's debut self-titled EP is available Friday (July 26). Pictured (back, l-r) are Dennis Entertainment’s John Dennis, Tape Room’s Ashley Gorley and Valory's George Briner; (front, l-r) the trio's Sami BeardenSavana Santos and Sam Backoff, BMLG's Scott Borchetta and Dennis Entertainment’s Charly Salvatore.
















(22 July 2019) Blanco Brown 'Git Ups' with KWNR/Las Vegas
BBR Music Group/BMG's Blanco Brown recently made his way to Las Vegas, where he taught iHeartMedia KWNR (95.5 The Bull) staffers “The Git Up” dance. Brown was presented his very own Las Vegas Golden Knights jersey dueing the visit by "Chance," the Golden Knights' mascot. Pictured (L to R): KWNR PD Big D, Brown, on-air talent Tay Hamilton and Chance
























BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead
July 22: Don Henley (Eagles) (1947), Richard Bennett (1951), Ray Peters (1936), Sonya Isaacs (1975), Allison Pierce (1975 (age 42)), Alice Wallace (LA Americana singer-songwriter)
July 23: Alison Krauss (1971), Tony Joe White (1943), Shannon Brown (1973), Briana Rae Bagwell (born in Las Cruces, New Mexico 1987), Danielle Simone Bradbery (1996)
July 24: the late Max D Barnes (July 24, 1936; died January 11, 2004 (aged 67)), Pam Tillis (1957), Jerrod Niemann (1979)
July 25: Jason Roberts (Asleep At The Wheel) (1975), Marty Brown (1965), Valerie Smith (Valerie Jean Stevens) (1966)
July 26: Al Anderson (1947)
July 27: Stacy Dean Campbell (1967), John Gorka (1958), Bobbie Gentry (1944) 
July 28: George Cummins (Dr Hook) (1938), the late Frank Yankovic (July 28, 1915; died Oct 14, 1998 (aged 83))


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