23 June 2014

Seven-time Grammy-winning trio Lady Antebellum has released the music video for their red-hot new single ‘Bartender’. The group tapped Kate Upton (‘The Other Woman’, ‘Sports Illustrated’ Swimsuit Cover Model) and Tony Hale (‘Arrested Development’, ‘VEEP’) for the video. Directed by Shane Drake and shot in Los Angeles last month, the plot takes Kate Upton and her girlfriends on a wild night out where a drinking battle royale ensues with a shot-slinging bartender (Hale) and only one is left standing. “I think we definitely captured the spirit of the song, but we also threw in some unexpected twists that the fans will love,” said Kelley. “Kate and Tony took what could have been just another music video to a really cool place. I mean, pretty much every guy in America is in love with Kate Upton. And if I’m being totally honest, Dave and I now both have a little man-crush on Tony too…he’s hilarious! Hands-down my favourite video we’ve ever done.” Lady Antebellum is currently out on the road headlining their 2014 Take Me Downtown Tour, which will hit 80 cities in the US and Canada this year.

80 of 160 artists announced, include: Amy Ray, Angaleena Presley, Carlene Carter, Ethan Johns, Gregory Alan Isakov, Hayes Carll, Jamestown Revival, Joe Henry, Joe Purdy, Josh Ritter, Lake Street Dive, Lee Ann Womack, Marty Stuart, Parker Millsap, Quebe Sisters Band, Rhett Miller, Rodney Crowell, Ruthie Foster, Sarah Jarosz, Shakey Graves, Todd Snider & Friends, Trigger Hippy and Willie Watson. The Americana Music Association expands its festival and conference in its 15th year by announcing its most ambitious and eclectic line-up to date. Anchored by its 13th annual Honours & Awards show on Wednesday, September 17 at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the Association also adds three-time Americana Group of the Year winners, The Avett Brothers, to a headlining slot at Riverfront Park on Saturday, September 20. Admission to the Riverfront show will be included in Americana Festival & Conference registrations for the September 17-21 event. Individual tickets for The Avett Brothers Riverfront show will go on sale to the general public for $52.50 on Friday, June 27. The Avett Brothers Fan Club members will have a special pre-sale opportunity starting on Tuesday, June 24. All new fan club members must sign up at www.theavettbrothers.com before Monday, June 23 in order to be eligible. Throughout the festival and conference – highlighted by Travel + Leisure as a fine-tuned music destination in its June print issue – a total of 160 artists will perform in 11 venues including 3rd & Lindsley, The Basement, City Winery, High Watt, Cannery, Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, Station Inn, Music City Roots, Downtown Presbyterian Church and Musicians Corner. The growth of Americana as a genre – curated and cultivated by the Americana Music Association – is evidenced by recent partnerships with cultural epicentre Lincoln Center for ‘Americana NYC’ on August 6-10 and a new GRAMMY category created for the American Roots Field announced in early June: “Best American Roots Performance.” This category is the genre’s third and the only new category created by the Academy this year.

The Americana Music Association is excited to announce its return to The Maverick Festival on Friday July 4, 2014 for its second annual,day-long conference at Easton Park Farm, situated in the beautiful Suffolk countryside presenting a rich and varied programme of panels, discussions and live music showcases. The day will include a keynote speech from the award winning American folk singer Mary Gauthier plus contributions from the one and only BBC Radio 2 DJ Bob Harris and legendary musician and songwriter Benny Gallagher. We are also excited to welcome top Americana writer Brian Hinton (honoured with an MBE in 2006 for service to the arts), all will be available to share their experiences and expertise on the day. In addition, there will be live performances from blues guitarist Adam Sweet, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin (winners of the BBC Folk award for best duo) and acclaimed Norwich based singer Jess Morgan. The AMA-UK will also curate the evening programme on The Peacock Stage for the opening night of this year’s festival. The conference provides an exciting opportunity for all those involved with Americana music as musicians, writers, promoters, agents and managers come together under one roof and establish networking opportunities and mutually beneficial, creative solutions to some of the challenges involved with working with Americana music in the UK and beyond. The Americana Music Association UK was formed a year ago with a very clear mission – to encourage an appreciation of Americana music, in all its glorious forms, to improve the public and professional profile of this expansive musical genre and strengthen its ties with the Americana Music Association in the USA, the pioneering body founded in 1999 in Nashville, Tennessee. The AMA-UK membership has grown significantly throughout the year. It has held successful live music events such as its Thanksgiving party at The Old Queens Head in Islington and the three-day series of sell out showcases at Kings Place in February with plans well advanced for more in other parts of the UK.

Black River Entertainment has announced the release of a limited edition vinyl version of country music singer/songwriter Kellie Pickler’s critically-acclaimed current album THE WOMAN I AM. This is the first vinyl album for Kellie Pickler, and it features exclusive cover art, different from the CD version. “I grew up listening to the vinyl albums of my music heroes…Dolly, Tammy, Loretta, Patsy, and I still do to this day,” said Pickler. “When I think ‘album’ I picture a vinyl LP. I am so excited to have one of my own and to be able to offer it to my fans.” Featuring photography by Robert Ascroft, every image used in the vinyl packaging was captured inside the “Motown Suite” a part of United Record Pressing – where the vinyl was physically pressed. Fans can order an autographed limited edition vinyl copy of THE WOMAN I AM now at KelliePickler.com to be shipped out on June 27. Fans got a first look at the vinyl album when Pickler met them for an exclusive SOLD OUT signing party at Ernest Tubb Record Shop during CMA Music Festival in Nashville earlier this month.

Jersey’s Frankie Davies has released her first official single ‘Superman’. ‘Superman’ is a tribute, a song full of hope, written by a Daughter for her Father as he battled through cancer treatment, and was released on Father’s Day June 15, 2014. Both heart-wrenching & inspiring at the same time, through the lyrics of this song Frankie turns the tables on her Dad reminding him of how he inspired & encouraged her growing up, asking him now to believe in himself & his own ability to heal, which, miraculously is exactly what he did. Frankie performed the track live with her full band in London at St Pancras Old Church on Thursday June 12 ahead of performances at the Isle of Wight Festival, Barn On The Farm Festival & Fort San Antone, Country Music Festival. ‘Superman’ will be distributed on all digital platforms. A promo video filmed at The Jersey Opera House has been launched on Vevo UK. Fast becoming a favourite amongst UK based country & folk singers, Frankie was born in Jersey but has travelled the length and breadth of the UK and more recently, to LA, San Fransisco and Nashville, to let the world know about her particular brand of original Folk & Country music. With thoughtful lyrics, diverse melodies and a humble, perhaps slightly ditsy stage presence, Frankie woos her audience with beautiful ballads and upbeat dance tunes, all with their origins clearly rooted in the great tradition of Nashville and the South.