2014

The new album from country music icon, Randy Travis, Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am is available for download on iTunes. While getting ready for the official release set for next Tuesday, August 19th on Warner Bros. Records, fans can get the collection of covers online a week early and also take a look at a series of concept videoscreated in anticipation of the release. The album had exclusively streamed in its entirety on Rolling Stone Country as well. Throughout his celebrated career, Travis and his music have been a major influence to other country artists, while on Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am, Travis pays homage to some of the songs and artists that were instrumental in crafting his musical career. “We had such a great time putting together Influence Vol. 1, but there were still so many musical heroes of yesteryear that I learned from and wanted to honor. We had no choice but to release a second volume. The “Influence” that the older, great ones had on me, and the “Influence” that I may, somehow, have on the ones that come along after me, is God’s way of allowing us to pay it forward. It is my prayer answered—and, His will done—it is what makes me, “the man I am.” – Randy Travis RANDY TRAVIS Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am TRACK LISTING: I’m Moving On Set ‘Em Up Joe Are The Good Times Really Over? Nearly Lose Your Mind There I’ve Said It Again That’s The Way Love Goes Sunday Morning Coming Down Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me Mind Your Own Business Only Daddy For The Good Times California Blues Tonight I’m Playing Possum (Solo Version) For more information, please visit www.randytravis.com / Follow: @randytravis

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.

Gord Bamford has received the 2013 CMA Global Country Artist Award. The Canadian singer was presented with the honor during the CCMA Gala Dinner held on September 6 in Edmonton. The award was presented by CMA Board members Ted Ellis, VP of Programming and Scheduling, Corus Entertainment, and Jeff Walker, President, Aristomedia. “As a Canadian Country Music artist, it’s an incredible honour to receive the CMA’s Global Country Artist Award,” said Bamford. “To receive this recognition from CMA, the Nashville music community, and the CMA international membership is something every artist dreams of and I’d have to tell you honestly, I’m feeling an overwhelming sense of humble accomplishment not just for myself, but for all those who play my music, come to my shows, and work behind the scenes.” Bamford earned two CCMA Awards this year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year for “When Your Lips Are So Close,” bringing his total to 18 Canadian Country Music Association awards since 2008, when he won CCMA Top New Male Talent of the Year. His current release, COUNTRY JUNKIE, debuted in the number one spot on the Nielsen Soundscan Top Country Albums Chart and also garnered Bamford his first ever number one single, “When Your Lips Are So Close.” In March of this year, Bamford garnered his third Juno Award nomination for Canadian Country Album of the Year for COUNTRY JUNKIE.

Nominees for the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards were announced last night at a press conference at The Factory in Franklin, TN, where Compass Records artists and their respective band members received an impressive 18 nominations across 12 Award Categories. Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen lead the Compass Records nominees with four nominations, while Claire Lynch, Noam Pikelny and Special Consensuseach garnered three. A full list of nominations can be read here. “This is an awesome day for Special C,” says Founding Member, Greg Cahill, “After 39 years of touring and recording, it is a true honor to be recognized by our peers and friends in the world of bluegrass music. Thanks to the IBMA voters for this honor, to all the fantastic musicians who played with us on this John Denver tribute recording, to all the DJs who play our music and press who write about it, and to all our friends and fans for their support.” Special Consensus, their collaborators, and their liner notes writer, Dave Royko, received nominations for Recorded Event of the Year for “Wild Montana Skies” (with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes), Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year for “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” (with Michael Cleveland,Buddy Spicher and Alison Brown) and for Best Liner Notes for their project COUNTRY BOY: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver. Fast rising Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen were nominated for the second year in a row for Instrumental Group of the Year Category and reigning 2013 IBMA Banjo player of the Year, Mike Munford, received a nomination for Banjo Player of the Year. Frank Solivan also received nods for Male Vocalist of the Year and Mandolin Player of the Year. Last Year’s IBMA Keynote Speaker, Noam Pikelny, received three nominations including Banjo Player of the Year. Pikelny claimed his spot on the list of Album of the Year nominees with his Compass release, NOAM PIKELNY PLAYS KENNY BAKER PLAYS BILL MONROE. The album also received a nomation for Best Liner Notes by Neil V. Rosenberg. Peter Rowan received a nomination for Recorded Event of the Year for the track “Keepin’ It Between the Lines (Old School)” from his Compass release, THE OLD SCHOOL. Collaborators with Peter on this track include Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie McCoury and Del McCoury. “Dear Sister” received a nomination for Song of the Year, recognizing Claire Lynch (artist) and Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscom (writers). Additional nominees in the Vocalist and Instrumental categories include Claire Lynch and Dale Ann Bradley for Female Vocalist of the Year, Mark Schatz and Missy Raines for Bass Player of the Year, and Michael Cleveland for Fiddle Player of the Year. Nominations are voted on by the professional membership of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the trade association for the bluegrass music industry. Results of the balloting will be revealed at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, October 4 as the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week, held September 30 – October 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IBMA Awards Show will also be broadcast live on SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction).

The Shires and Ward Thomas have announced on a joint tour that will see the fast-rising bands take it in turns to headline on a series of dates around the UK. Country music in the UK has been growing steadily with and Britain is producing a new wave of talent who are putting a British spin on the down south sounds of Nashville. Leaders among this new wave are these two bands from the Home Counties who have taken inspiration from the sounds of Nashville legends such as Johnny Cash and Dixie Chicks. Not content to merely copy the US acts though, these bands are flying the flag for a British Country music that reflects the lives of young people living in the UK. This shared vision has led the bands to team up and take their music on the road for the nationwide ‘Home-grown tour’. Both bands have come a long way since they played the pop-up stages of C2C in March 2014, with both acts having an A-Listed track on BBC Radio 2 and The Shires an iTunes UK Country No.1 with their debut single Nashville Grey Skies, while Ward Thomas’s debut album “From Where We Stand” went to No.1 on both the OCC Country Chart and iTunes’ Country Chart. The seeds for this tour were sown when the two bands ran into each other in a road house in Nashville while they were both paying pilgrimage to their spiritual home. The chance to take their shared message out on the road together seemed too good to miss and the ‘Home-grown tour’ was born. Tickets on sale on 9am Friday August 8 Nov 4: Birmingham Glee Club Nov 6: Liverpool Academy 2 Nov 7: Bristol Thekla Nov 9: Oxford Academy 2 Nov 10: London Bush Hall Nov 13: Manchester Band on the Wall Nov 14: Gateshead The Sage Nov 16: Leeds Brudenell Social Club Nov 17: Norwich Waterfront Nov 20: Yorkshire, Pocklington Arts Centre Nov 23: Glasgow King Tuts Nov 24: Middlesbrough the Empire Nov 26: Nottingham The Bodega Social Club Nov 27: Milton Keynes The Stables

From a young age, Mike Barnett has made his mark on the bluegrass world as an extremely talented fiddler. He has toured as a member of Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys, the David Grisman Sextet and the progressive bluegrass quintet, The Deadly Gentleman, which he co-founded. With the release of his debut solo project, ONE SONG ROMANCE, Barnett is poised to establish himself as a solo artist with a broad and engaging musical vision that reaches from bluegrass into acoustic jazz and beyond. Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Michael Barnett began studying the fiddle at age 10 and by age 15 was touring with the legendary Mr. Mandolin Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys, playing regular weekend performances on the Grand Ole Opry. That same year, at age 15, he became the youngest instructor ever to teach at the fiddle school at Vanderbilt University. Barnett later relocated to the Northeast where he has built his profile touring and recording with Jonathan Edwards, Tony Trishcka and Gordon Stone. In 2010 Barnett and banjoist Greg Liszt co-founded The Deadly Gentlemen, a progressive bluegrass outfit that allowed Mike the space to push the limits of traditional fiddle playing and incorporate new influences into his constantly evolving style. After four years with the group, Barnett will now focus on exploring his solo career path.

Multi-Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow has announced alt-country trio Red Sky July as special guests for her headline show at BluesFest 2014. Formed by Ally Mcerlaine (guitarist in the band Texas) and Shelly Poole (previously one half of Alisha’s Attic) along with Charity Hair (The Alice Band), Red Sky July released their self-titled debut album in 2011 to critical acclaim. This will be something of a homecoming gig for London-based Red Sky July and it presents the perfect opportunity to showcase their new album SHADOWBIRDS (due September 2014). Running across six days from October Sunday – Friday 31 October 2014, this year’s BluesFest will present a diverse programme packed with blues legends, superstar international acts and incredible emerging talent. Hosted exclusively at the Royal Albert Hall, BluesFest 2014 will feature performances taking place throughout the entire venue in the daytime, culminating in headline shows in the main auditorium each evening from Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Van Morrison, Grammy-winning soul sensation Gregory Porter, five-time Grammy-winning guitar legend Robert Cray and the remarkable Californian blues-rocker Beth Hart. An eclectic range of acts have been lined up for the daytime slots including multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Curtis Stigers, scintillating soul band The Excitements, inspirational New York singer-songwriter Nell Bryden, and son of the legendary Muddy Waters, Chicago blues singer Mud Morganfield. UK artists will also be strongly represented with the likes of 60s star and Clapton sideman Andy Fairweather Low, gritty R&B outfit Dr Feelgood, the inimitable Georgie Fame, rising-star bluesmen Marcus Bonfanti and Dan Owen, and a string of exceptional female vocalists including Jo Harman and Jess Roberts. The daytime activity will also feature the return of the ‘In Conversation With’ talks, with revered broadcasters Robert Elms and Paul Jones interviewing the likes of Mud Morganfield and Beth Hart. There is also a strong educational thread to proceedings, with workshops and talks taking place throughout the week. Festival Director, Leo Green: “We’re extremely proud to once again be delivering a really diverse BluesFest programme that covers the entire spectrum of the genre, incorporating rock, blues, soul, funk, jazz and more. The festival falls during the school half-term so, as well as being a big draw for serious blues fans, the daytime programme will appeal to families, while providing young people with a unique introduction to the blues. And throughout the daytime events, kids go free.”

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!!”

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