2014

The lineup for one of country music’s biggest nights gets better and better following the announcement of additional performers for the 48th annual CMA Awards. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host for the seventh consecutive year and they will also each perform during the show which takes place from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Paisley is among the top CMA Award winners of all time, with 14 trophies and 58 career CMA Awards nominations. He is a former CMA Entertainer of the Year (2010) and three-time CMA Male Vocalist of the Year (2007-2009), with multiple wins in the Music Video and Musical Event of the Year categories. Paisley’s first CMA Award came in 2000 when he won the Horizon Award, now known as New Artist of the Year. A three-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (2006-2008), Underwood is again nominated in that category in 2014, as well as Music Video and Musical Event of the Year with Lambert for ‘Somethin’ Bad.’ Underwood is a five-time CMA Awards winner with 21 career CMA Awards nominations. She has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year every year since her first nomination in 2006 (2006-2014). Joining Paisley and Underwood to perform will also be three of country music’s biggest bands – Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and The Band Perry. Previously announced performers include Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban. Tickets for the CMA Awards are officially sold out, marking the sixth year in a row the ceremony has sold out in advance. Winners of the CMA Awards will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association.

Americana folk trio Red Molly have announced their first ever tour of the UK and Ireland scheduled for October 2014 in support of their latest release THE RED ALBUM. Their edgiest CD to date, a wildly cool collection of songs produced by Ken Coomer (Wilco). The Americana/folk trio takes a distinctive shift towards darkness in the new indie collection, while maintaining their signature three-part harmony; gorgeous. The full tour schedule for their UK and Irish dates is as follows: Wednesday 8th: Rathfriland, Thursday 9th: Lisburn, Friday 10th: Clonmel, Co. Tipperary Saturday 11th: Ballincollig, Co. Cork Sunday 12th: Ratoath, Co. Meath Monday 13th: Ballybofey, Co. Donegal Wednesday 15th: Sligo, Co. Sligo Friday 17th: Menai Bridge, Anglesey Saturday 18th: Colwall, Malvern Sunday 19th: London Tuesday 21th: Birmingham Wednesday 22th: Milton Keynes Thursday 23th: Glasgow Friday 24th: Gateshead Saturday 25th: Cranleigh Sunday 26th: Nottingham

The Atkinson is delighted to announce its second festival of Americana, this year organised in association with the Americana Music Organisation ( AMA-UK). Over three nights they will be welcoming some of North America’s finest contemporary musicians. Enjoy a weekend of American food specials and merchandise stalls. Their are also a number of stay for the weekend deals on offer with local Hotels. Friday 31 October Anais Mitchell & The Mastersons with support from Luke Tuchscherer www.luketuchscherer.co.uk
From 7.30pm | Tickets £12 Saturday 1 November Martha Wainwright & Carrie Rodrigues with Luke Jacobs From 7.30pm | Tickets £22 with support from Case Hardin- www.casehardin.com Sunday 2 November Mary Gauthier & Red Sky July
with support from Lewis & Leigh – www.lewisandleigh.com
From 7.30pm | Tickets £15

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.

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.

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

Lee Ann Womack has been added to the star-studded C2C lineup for 2015 and will play London’s O2 Arena March 7and Dublin’s 3Arena March 8. The impressive C2C lineup was designed to create a diverse picture of what country music can be and Womack shares the bill with Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Florida Georgia Line, Brandy Clark, Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert and Kip Moore. Maverick spoke to Womack in the current issue (November/December) of the magazine about new album THE WAY I’M LIVIN’ as well as her hopes to tour the UK soon. She explained how important it was to her to return to the UK and with passion, how dedicated UK country fans are: “…UK fans pay attention a little more. They’re a little deeper…it’s just a little more musical.”

Kenny Chesney knew he wanted to take his music to another level when he opted to spend 2014 working on a new album. When he found “American Kids,” the lead single from Sept. 23’s eagerly anticipated THE BIG REVIVAL, he knew he had something unlike anything he’d ever cut before. Three weeks before his album hits stores, the propulsive song about the inherent spirit of people coming of age in the flyover has topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart – and it shows no signs of slowing down. With three rhythms, two hooks and a whole lot of imagery, “American Kids” paints a portrait of people who make their own fun, understand life is how you live it and that the small details are what it’s all about. “When Shane (McAnally) played me the song,” Chesney says, “I knew I was going to cut it. In fact, I gave him a hard time for not playing it for me sooner. Not only is it musically so engaging, but the pictures it paints are undeniable! No matter where you’re from, there are pieces of that song that’re just who you are… and they show you at your very best. We’re all, like the song says, ‘a little messed, but we’re all alright’.” More than a little alright. Having just played a free show for over 40,000 in FloraBama and a surprise “pop-up” show in Athens’ Georgia Theatre, Chesney marveled as both crowds gave the tongue twisting lyrics back to them like they were born singing it. “Some songs, you just know they capture how people feel, what they think, how they are. I’ve had a few like that: ‘Young’ being the first. The moments in this song are all very real, and while they’re universal, they’re anything but generic, so I think people grabbed a hold of it for that – and because of the way it moves.” Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally, “American Kids” evokes the little pink houses and born in the USA of several generations, while embodying the swept-up-in-the-moment urgency and complete abandon of today’s teens and 20-somethings. Co-producing with longtime collaborator Buddy Cannon, THE BIG REVIVAL marks Chesney’s 15th studio album. With the emphasis on great songs, pushing the boundaries without betraying who he is, THE BIG REVIVAL takes Chesney’s music and lays it wide open. With its first number one in “American Kids,” it looks like the songwriter/entertainer’s next wave is going to break ground and make his fans really happy.