14 July 2014

It may surprise some people to know of the close ties between the US state of Virginia and Britain. But in fact, the East Coast state was the first British settlement, and it has a rich history, from the first town, named after the King of England, Jamestown, to the story of Pocahontas and John Smith. Virginia will soon be opening the doors to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, following the growth of country music from grass roots, to the multi-million dollar industry it is now. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum tells the history of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, explores the ways in which sound technology shaped their success and has evolved, and highlights how this rich musical heritage lives on in today’s music. Terry McAuliffe, the Governor of Virginia and former campaign chairman for both Bill and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns, will take part in a live chat at: http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/virginia-is-for-lovers

Dolly Parton will be bringing her Blue Smoke World Tour to a close tonight as she takes the stage in Locarno, Switzerland. The Blue Smoke World Tour kicked off in January with concert performances in the United States before heading to New Zealand and Australia. Additional shows in America preceded Dolly’s European shows, which took her to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. “Well first of all we’ve had an absolutely wonderful world tour. Everywhere we’ve been, the audiences have been great, and the fact that we are closing out in Switzerland is absolutely great. And they say it’s one of the most beautiful venues that we’ll play – it’s an outdoor show – we’re looking forward to that, and we couldn’t end on a better note. I’m SO looking forward to that. That’s gonna be a great way to end it and a great way to head home and hopefully that’ll be our best show yet”, says Dolly Parton. Dolly Parton’s latest UK album release BLUE SMOKE, continues to be a fan favourite as Dolly moves up to number 3, her all-time highest album chart position, on the UK official chart. Dolly originally debuted on the chart five weeks ago at number 6, which at the time was her highest ever album chart position. BLUE SMOKE: THE BEST OF includes her latest studio album BLUE SMOKE featuring “Home”, “Blue Smoke” and new duet with long- time collaborator and friend Kenny Rogers and even a Bon Jovi cover! Alongside her greatest hits on disc 2 featuring the classics such as “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, “Islands in the Stream”, “Little Sparrow”, “Here You Come Again” and “I Will Always Love You”.

Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum singer/songwriter Aaron Lewis is joining Brantley Gilbert on the second leg of the Let It Ride Tour. Earlier this week, Brantley Gilbert and his sidekick Sylo revealed dates and opening acts for the second leg of his Let It Ride tour through a special video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcGxouNAkEw&feature=youtu.be The announcement also included footage from the first part of the tour, showing fired-up performances from the multiple sold-out shows last spring. This round is set to kick off on September 19 in Austin, TX. With Aaron Lewis as direct support September 19 until October 25 and Tyler Farr as direct support October 30 until December 6. Chase Bryant will be opening all dates. “I’m very excited to be hitting the road with Brantley Gilbert on the Let It Ride Tour in September,” said Lewis. “This is gonna be a good one!!”

Garth is back! Written by: Chuck Schultz “It’s a day of joy,” Garth Brooks said at the outset of this morning’s press conference. “Not going to be lying to you, it’s also under a cloud right now.” Sony Chairman/CEO Doug Morris introduced Brooks, confirming the label home for new music from Brooks. “It’s because Doug Morris took the time to find me at my convenience,” Brooks said of his signing with Sony. “Everybody loves everybody when you get started. We’ll see in a year. I hope you don’t regret this. I hope I don’t. I think we’ll be alright.” Producer Allen Reynolds’ retirement has Brooks working with Mark Miller, who engineered the Reynolds-produced albums. “I’ve never had more fun in my life making music,” Brooks said, noting that RCA will handle retail and radio, with new music coming sometime around the end of this month. The double album will land at all physical retailers sometime around Black Friday. “I’m getting my ass kicked by the songwriters right now,” he said. “We’re cutting everything but Garth stuff right now. The level of song-writing stunned me.” “We’ve never allowed ourselves to go digital,” Brooks said. “That will begin in next two or three weeks …” exclusively at garthbrooks.com. “That’s the only place you can get Garth Brooks music.” A window will be opened in which fans can buy the entire catalogue. Based on a promise made to a young fan at a show in Las Vegas, Brooks will call Andy from Atlanta to tell him the date and city of the first tour stop on July 14. Official word will follow at an unspecified time. “We hope we give you a show that makes you forget the ones in the ’90s,” he said. “That is our goal.” Brooks is working with Ticketmaster to keep ticket prices reasonable, with an announcement expected in the next few weeks. Speaking to the cloud he referenced in the open, “Ireland? I don’t have a clue,” he said. “I wish I could tell you I saw it coming … We don’t treat people different, so now what do I do with those 160,000 people, and why are they treated different?” Brooks offered to fly to Ireland immediately and “get on my knees and beg” if the Prime Minister would meet with him. Before the presser got underway, a train sounded its horn behind the venue. It was a fitting metaphor for the train that is now underway and on its way through country music. “Scared? Yes,” Brooks said. “Old? Yes. I want to thank God and everybody that has given me the chance to look at the second half of a career. I don’t know how many artists get this chance.”