February 2015

Blues legend Walter Trout has announced his plans to return to stages across the world in 2015. Following a liver transplant and extensive rehabilitation, the esteemed Bluesman feels strong enough to resume his career of fifty plus years. Trout has said: “The last year has been one where the blues truly came calling, and I came face to face with death more than once. My wife moved me to Nebraska to improve my chances of getting a life-saving liver transplant, and after a long wait, I got my new liver on May 26th, 2014. Since then I have been filled with immense gratitude. Gratitude for the fans who supported me via fundraisers, cards, messages, thoughts and prayers, for the donor and his or her family, for medical science, for my family, and for life itself. “Everything matters more to me now. Now, 7 months after my transplant I feel like a new man. I have strength and energy. In some ways I feel like I am in my 20s again! The past couple of years of playing I was getting dizzy spells, severe cramps in my hand and forearm and played many shows in severe pain. It turns out that was a result of my deteriorating liver. That is gone now! I am able to play better than I have in years. I feel reborn. I cannot wait to get back out on the road again and do what I love to do for my fans. The future looks great!” Walter Trout will make appearances across Europe and North America in the coming months. His first public appearance will take place on June 15 in London at the Royal Albert Hall as part of Lead Belly Fest. Additionally, Trout will take the stage for the first in North America at a venue where he has long history – The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California on July 10. His itinerary is a work in progress with dozens of additional dates planned for 2015. Confirmed appearances include: June 15: London, Royal Albert Hall July 10: California, San Juan Capistrano, The Coach House 21: Iowa, Davenport, Redstone Room 23: Iowa, Sioux City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 25: Minnesota, St. Paul, Lowertown Blues Festival 31: Connecticut, Norwalk, Infinity Music Hall July 1: Maryland, Annapolis, Ram’s Head 2: Delaware, Wilmington, Riverfront Blues Festival 7: New York, Niagara Falls, Bear’s Den @ Seneca Casino 8: West Virinia, Wheeling, Heritage Blues Festival 14: Illinois, Chicago, Buddy Guy’s Legends 15: Wisconsin, Wausau, Big Bull Falls Blues Festival August 10 – 11: Nevada, Las Vegas, Big Blues Bender September 17: Stockton, Arc 18: Glasgow, ABC 20: Holmfirth, Picturedrome 21: London, Forum 24: Leamington, Assembly 25: Frome: Cheese & Grain 28: Amsterdam, Carre December 1: Hamburg, Fabrik 2: Berlin, Kesselhaus 3: Bochum, RuhrCongress 6: Munich, Feriheiz

Best Country Solo Performance Something in the Water Carrie Underwood Label: Sony Nashville Best Country Duo/Group Performance Gentle On My Mind The Band Perry Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond, songwriters (Glen Campbell) Track from: Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me Soundtrack Label: Big Machine Records Best Country Song I’m Not Gonna Miss You Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond, songwriters (Glen Campbell) Track from: Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me Soundtrack Label: Big Machine Records Best Country Album PLATINUM Miranda Lambert Label: RCA Nashville Best American Roots Performance A Feather’s Not A Bird Rosanne Cash Track from: The River & The Thread Label: Blue Note Records Best American Roots Song Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, songwriters (Rosanne Cash) Track from: The River & The Thread Label: Blue Note Records; Publishers: Chelcait Music admin. by Measurable Music LLC, a Notable Music Co./Lev-A-Tunes Best Americana Album THE RIVER & THE THREAD Rosanne Cash Label: Blue Note Records Best Bluegrass Album THE EARLS OF LEICESTER The Earls Of Leicester Label: Rounder Best Folk Album REMEDY Old Crow Medicine Show Label: ATO Records

Striking Matches are returning to the UK this May following on from their debut headline shows at the Borderline last year, both of which selling out through word of mouth after their astounding performance at The O2 Arena’s C2C festival last March. With the Nashville duo’s fresh and Fleetwood Mac inspired approach to country music. The dates will be a showcase for their debut album NOTHING BUT THE SILENCE, produced by Grammy-winning T-Bone Burnett, who has worked with the likes of Robert Plant, Allison Krauss, Elton John, Roy Orbison and Counting Crows. It is set for release on March 23 through Caroline International. Striking Matches latest single Missing You Tonight, is a beautiful, country anthem that takes the listener deep into the heart of Nashville. Their songs, including When The Right One Comes Along and‘Hanging On A Lie’have been featured on More 4’s hit drama series Nashville and recorded by the show’s stars Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen, which has opened the door to a host of new fans both in the US and internationally. Striking Matches are the first artist to sign to the newly revived label, I.R.S. Nashville, and have toured with the likes of Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe and Hunter Hayes. The band will play in the UK on: Friday 8 – Union Chapel, London Sunday 10 – Deaf Institute, Manchester Monday 11 – Oran Mor, Glasgow Tickets are available for pre-order this Friday, February 6

With less than two months to go, the C2C team are thrilled to announce that there will be a whole host of new activity across the country music filled weekend at The O2, London on 7 & 8 March 2015, including music on Pop Up stages from 11am and After Show Parties running until late. Satellite Stage In the arena for the very first time, we’ll be introducing a Satellite Stage which will be located behind the sound desks at the opposite end of the arena to the main stage. Four acoustic artists will be performing in-between the main stage acts (two on each day). The first names to be announced are: SAM HUNT – one of the hottest new artists to emerge in Nashville last year and whose debut No.1 was ‘Leave The Night On’. The former college football player was previously best known for writing hit singles for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and others. THE SHIRES – the British duo who made their C2C debut as relative unknowns have had a great year, which included their debut single Nashville Grey Skies being playlisted on BBC Radio 2. Their debut album will be released in C2C week, on Mon March 2. Pop-Up stages Fans will get a rare chance to discover a broad range of artists as they play free intimate shows on pop-up stages around the venue, showcasing their talents and proving that country music has a strong future in the UK. There will be 40 performances for C2C ticket holders each day on various stages including the newly named Big Entrance stage and Music Mile stage. There will also be special performances on the Pop Up stages by name artists, including The Shires, CMA Award winning songwriters Jon Randall and Jessie Alexander (who are also featured in Friday night’s CMA Songwriters Series at indigo at The O2) and Ward Thomas -who made their C2C debut as a relatively unknown duo in 2014 but have since had a great year with singles playlisted at BBC Radio 2 and their first album, ‘From Where We Stand,’ entering the UK Top 50. Pop-up artists (in alphabetical order): Acoustic Journey, Ann Doka, Aubrie Sellers, Balsamo Deighton, Callaghan, Carolynne Poole, Case Hardin, Chloë Chadwick, Claydon Connor, David Bradley, Dexeter, Ellie Dibben, Emma Jade, Emma Swindells, Fitzwallace, Flats & Sharps, Hannah Jane Lewis, Harper J, Holloway Road, Honey Ryder, InBlauK, Jeannine Barry, Jess & The Bandits, Jess Roberts, Jon Randall & Jessi Alexander, Katie Armiger, Katie Nicholas, Laura Oakes, Lewis & Leigh, Lisa Redford, Liv Austen & The Banned, Luke and Mel, Lucy May, Megan O’Neill, Mim Grey, Paul Carella, Pauper Kings (formerly McKay), Raintown, Sam Hunt, Sasha McVeigh, Sonia Leigh, Stephanie Manns, Talia Simone, The Cains Trio, The Dirty Beggars, The James Clode Band, The Shires, The Tuesday Syndicate, Ward Thomas, Winters Hill. The Saloon Another first this year is our new venue, The Saloon, which can be found in the WM Jazz Club at The O2 and will feature an intimate space for singer songwriters to perform and talk about their song-writing. C2C ticket holders are invited to come along, sit back, relax and enjoy the programme. The Saloon will include a Bob Harris curated programme by Under The Apple Tree Sessions with legendary Texan singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes, the up-and-coming Nashville singer-songwriter, Angel Snow, Ward Thomas and American singer Katie Armiger plus Woody Pines, Worry Dolls, Loud Mountains and the Goat Roper Rodeo Band. C2C After Parties As previously announced, the official C2C after parties will take place at Brooklyn Bowl at The O2. A surprise guest will perform each night and country music fans are invited to continue the festival spirit into the small hours. Hosted by country music DJ and radio/TV presenter; DJBaylen Leonard, the doors to Brooklyn Bowl will open once the final main stage artist has waved goodbye to the crowds each night. Tickets for Country to Country are available from www.axs.com/c2c 08448 24 48 24 and www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051.