September 2014

The country music favourite George Hamilton IV, who began performing as a teenager in the 1950s, had suffered a major heart attack at the weekend. George was inducted into Nashville’s Grand Old Opry in 1960 and continued to work until shortly before he was taken ill. In the later phase of his career, Hamilton, who was born in North Carolina, concentrated on gospel music and making recordings of inspiration recitations, a type of spiritual song. He also became a regular guest singer with evangelist Billy Graham on his many rallies around the world. Hamilton’s most recent album, made in 2010, was a gospel-influenced collection featuring a host of guest artists. George Hamilton IV died on Wednesday afternoon at St. Thomas hospital, where he was admitted over the weekend after suffering a heart attack. The 77-year-old began his career in the late ’50s, made it into the Opry in 1960 and was most recently seen greeting fans taking the backstage tour at the Opry. One of Hamilton’s biggest hits, Abilene, spent a month at No. 1 in 1961 and made him an international star. Hamilton’s nickname was the “International Ambassador of Country Music.” He is remembered by his Opry family as one of the kindest men to ever walk the Opry stage. Hamilton is survived by his wife Tinky and daughter Mary.

When Lee Ann Womack agreed to do a clip for “The Way I’m Livin’,” the title track and lead song from her new album, she knew one thing: “I did not want a literal, storyline video.” The Roger Pistole-directed clip is anything but… and it’s provocative enough CMT will world premiere it across its platforms on Wednesday, Sept. 10. “We joked about things you don’t hear at a Lee Ann Womack video shoot,” says the Grammy-winning vocalist of the unlikely video. “You know, like ‘The snakes just got here…’ Only for this clip, the snakes really did just arrive!” Considering the realm and reality in the world around us, Roger Pistole created a video where time has multiple layers, the characters are open to interpretation and Womack delivers a vocal performance that is equal parts confession, rumination and scalding immersion in the moment. In the end, the notion of just who the devil is will prompt discussion – with no clear cut answers. “I think getting people to talk about things, issues and what they believe is the best thing music can do,” Womack says. “And I love that this video takes that concept, and pushes it even farther. Life isn’t black and white; people’s reasons aren’t simple, nor are the reasons they fall. Roger got the exact thing I was trying to capture in the song – and man, did he find a great way to create a video that leaves you wondering, but also shows you a lot about the gray areas of life.” Shot in an abandoned house on a working cattle farm outside Nashville, ‘The Way I’m Livin” seems like another old house in a field video – until you get 30 seconds in. From there, it’s a powerful exploration of temptation, falling, fighting and, perhaps, salvation – all without one obvious cue. “The best things let you bring your own life to’em,” says the woman, whose The Way I’m Livin’ was singled out by The New York Times in their Fall Arts Preview. “I really want this album to open up what songs can contain, to make people think about their definitions of not just ‘what’s country?,’ but why do we need definitions.”

Courtesy of Big Machine Records, Country Music Hall of Fame member Glen Campbell has recorded his last song. ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ was written by Campbell and Julian Raymond specifically for a new documentary titled ‘Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me.’ Produced by Raymond, the song was recorded in the Los Angeles-based Sunset Sound Factory and East West Recording Studios. The song will be released on September 30 to all digital retailers. With a mere handful of piano chords, then a swell of harmonies, ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You’ opens into the poignant, yet clear-eyed revelation of the things Alzheimer’s steals. Almost lumbering through the melody, Campbell’s weathered tenor confesses the painful truths of what is lost, the cost – and the reality that it will all be lost to him, the man who can’t remember. Pedal steel weeps, strings bathe the melody that rises against drums and an electric guitar that mirrors the unbreakable passage of life and time. ‘Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me’ is an epic human drama that intimately showcases the man and his music throughout Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. Chronicling the story of love, laughter, resilience and power of song, this film shows how against all odds, America’s greatest country star would not give up. The documentary was directed and produced by James Keach (producer of Walk The Line) and produced by Trevor Albert (Groundhog Day). Big Machine Records will proudly release a soundtrack for the film that also features The Band Perry, who previously paid tribute to Campbell during the 2012 GRAMMY Awards. The project also features Campbell’s daughter Ashley who performs an original song. “We are so honoured to not only release Glen Campbell’s final recording, but to be associated with such a profound film that will help raise awareness of those suffering from Alzheimer’s and spotlight the important role of those who care for them, ” remarked Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta who serves as the project’s Executive Producer with Keach. Several of today’s biggest musical stars appear in the film to pay tribute to the legend including Bruce Springsteen, Bill Clinton, The Edge (U2), Paul McCartney, Jay Leno, Vince Gill, Jimmy Webb, Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Steve Martin, Chad Smith, and The Band Perry.

Coffee House Sessions is a dynamic initiative that exposes the best in upcoming music talent to the student market via acoustic daytime performances in university coffee shops. Launched by Coalition Talent in 2013, this innovative promotional and marketing platform injects life back into the live music scene across universities. The sessions kick off with The Shires, featured in the latest issue of Maverick Magazine. Country music is experiencing a surge of interest in the UK, and one of the acts helping to make country cooler than ever on this side of the Atlantic aren’t from Tennessee or Texas, they’re from Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. They look and sound great, and they’re all set to take their country-influenced music to the world. Step forward, The Shires. Duo Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes have swiftly become one of the buzz bands of 2014. Getting together May of last year, and with only a handful of live dates under their belt, The Shires have secured the support of a host of industry tastemakers in no time. Decca won the hot contest for their signatures just before they made their official live London debut at the second annual Country 2 Country Festival at London’s 02 Arena. This event confirmed the huge wave of interest in the country genre. 24 hours later, they were performing at a prestigious London reception held jointly by BBC Radio 2 (who’ve declared their enthusiastic early support for the duo), and the Country Music Association. The following morning, they were on a plane heading for their first song writing sessions in Nashville. Two days on, Ben and Crissie were featured in the Radio 2 documentary ‘Nashville UK,’ celebrating the continuing rise of country on these shores. The thoroughly refreshing debut single ‘Nashville Grey Skies’ is just the first taster of the album they will record. Both Ben and Crissie are self-declared admirers of the craftsmanship of country song writing, but don’t be deceived – they’re as far from some twangy tribute act as you could get. Powered by Crissie’s powerful but subtle and supple vocals and Ben’s perfectly complementary tones and acoustic guitar, The Shires have found a piece of country to call their own. They love American music, but are proudly British and intensely keen to add some real indigenous flavour to the pot. The song ‘Made In England’ is a perfect example – a real celebration of all things British. Now The Shires are ready to bring that album home from Nashville. “At the end of the day, all we want to do is write songs and sing them,” says Earle. People will be more than ready to listen, in their country and far beyond. Tour Summary: Tuesday 30th September 2014 University of Bedfordshire, The Lounge – 12.30pm Queen Mary University London, Ground Café – 3pm University of Essex, SU Bar – 6pm Wednesday 1st October 2014 University of London, Student Central – 6pm Thursday 2nd October 2014 Loughborough University, SU Piazza – 12pm De Montfort University, SU Bar – 1.30pm University of Derby, Academy Bar – 3pm University of Warwick, Curiositea – 5.30pm Friday 3rd October 2014 University of Bath, The Plug Bar – 1pm Bath Spa University, SU Bar – 2.30pm Monday 6th October 2014 Keele University, Blend – 12pm Manchester Metropolitan University, SU Bar – 2.30pm University of Liverpool, Starbucks – 5pm Tuesday 7th October 2014 Nottingham Trent University, The Lounge – 12pm University of Sheffield, Raynor Lounge – 3pm Wednesday 8th October 2014 University of Bradford, Student Central – 1pm University of Leeds, Terrace Bar – 3.30pm Thursday 9th October 2014 University of Teesside, The Terrace Bar – 1pm University of Northumbria, Reds Bar – 3pm Friday 10th October 2014 University of Stirling, Underground – 12pm University of Strathclyde, The Priory – 1.30pm University of St. Andrews, Rector’s Café – 5.30pm

Nickel Creek have been presented with their first platinum record for Sugar Hill Records debut, NICKEL CREEK. Following their sound check at Austin City Limits Live At The Moody Theater, the trio was surprised with special plaques to commemorate the accomplishment. On hand to present Nickel Creek with their platinum were Sugar Hill General Manager Cliff O’Sullivan and Sugar Hill Vice President of A&R Gary Paczosa (who also engineered Nickel Creek.) Members of Austin’s musical elite, Terry Lickona, producer of Austin City Limits, and John Kunz, owner of Waterloo Records, also joined in on the impromptu ceremony. “We wanted to be able to share in this moment with Chris, Sean and Sara and where better than this beautiful theater!” Cliff O’Sullivan said. “Selling a million albums is a tremendous achievement and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate it with Nickel Creek and applaud the enduring success of the album, which is a cornerstone of Sugar Hill’s musical legacy.” Nickel Creek, the self-titled album from the acoustic trio, was Certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of America earlier this month, having officially hit one million units of the record sold. The trio reaches another milestone this year as they celebrate 25 years of making music together.