2016 - STAGING Maverick

Dolly Parton's My People fund serves nearly 900 families in first distribution

In a little more than two weeks after the wildfires that spread across Dolly Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton and the Dollywood Foundation launched the distribution of assistance from the My People Fund. During the four day cash distribution, 884 families received their initial support payments. “It’s a blessing during this holiday season that we are able to help as many families as we have so far,” Parton said. “We know there are more families out there who need our help and we encourage them to be in contact with us before our January distribution.” The Dollywood Foundation My People Fund provides $1,000 each month to Sevier County families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County will be eligible. A pre-application for those affected is available at dollywoodfoundation.org. Millions of people watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon on Tuesday, December 13 on Great American Country, AXS-TV, RFD-TV and The Heartland Network and during several rebroadcasts throughout the last week. As a result, donations continued to roll in and thanks to generous people from coast to coast and Parton’s friends, the total amount raised has climbed to $9.3 million. “As, Dolly said, the response has been overwhelming,” David Dotson, Dollywood Foundation President said. “We will distribute all $9.3 million to the families affected. That will insure all of the money raised will go to where Dolly promised it would go.” The next distribution is January 26 and 27, 2017 at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

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Ronnie McDowell spreads holiday cheer to children in his hometown of Portland, Tenn

News / Editor

2017 will mark 40 years of country music legend Ronnie McDowell making music that impacts the lives of others. For 38 of those, he has also been changing the lives of children in need from his hometown of Portland, Tenn. with a special Christmas shopping trip they will remember for years to come. This week McDowell teamed up with elementary schools and countless community volunteers to transport 30 children on five tour buses to a local Walmart for a $100 shopping spree just days before Christmas. This year the buses were lent to the worthy cause by fellow country stars Garth Brooks, Josh Turner and more. McDowell decided to make spirits even brighter by dressing up like Santa Claus as the kids shopped for clothes, dolls, bicycles and everything else on their wish list. Following the shopping trip, the group headed to a local fast food restaurant for dinner and treats. “This event makes my Christmas every year. I cannot fathom, as one of 10 children to a mother that worked three jobs, what something like this would have meant to me as a kid growing up in Portland, Tennessee. That’s why I do it,” said McDowell. Known for more than thirty Top 40 hits, including chart-toppers The King Is Gone, Older Women and You’re Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation, the warm-hearted country hitmaker recently released his first ever autobiography about his illustrious music career Bringing It To You Personally.

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Bluegrass superstars Daily & Vincent celebrate 10th Anniversary with Grand Ole Opry performance

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Duo Announces Upcoming Exhibit in International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame The celebration will commence on December 30, when the “Entertainer of the Year” winners hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, held at the historic Ryman Auditorium. They will perform a special star-studded 30-minute Opry segment. The night will also mark the pair’s 100th Opry performance. “We started our career on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium nine years ago,” says Jamie Dailey. “I describe how touched and humbled I am to know we will be returning to kick off our 10th year on that same stage. The Grand Ole Opry is like coming home for us.” Dailey & Vincent will continue the celebration with another career first, as they open their own personalized exhibit at the world-renowned International Bluegrass Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, Ky. Other legends featured at the prestigious museum include bluegrass legends Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, Ralph Stanley and more. Fans can stop by and experience “A Decade of Dailey & Vincent – An American Music Journey,” showcasing artifacts, memorabilia, and other priceless mementos from their band’s iconic career. The exhibit is set to launch January 13, 2017 at the original museum location, and will also be celebrated with an intimate concert performance broadcast LIVE on SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction, followed by a meet & greet and reception (fans can purchase tickets HERE). “A dream of ours was to start our career at the Grand Ole Opry in 2007. Ten years later, celebrating this milestone brings overwhelming feelings of joy and excitement” says Darrin Vincent. “Also, having another first for us with our exhibit at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame is wonderful. I never thought I’d live to see that. In thinking about these milestones, I feel too thankful for my family and a lifetime of love and support they have given to me. My father passed away 2 years ago, but it brings tears to my eyes knowing that he would be so proud.”

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Charley Pride honoured with the Recording Academy's 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

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Three-time grammy winner Charley Pride taught himself to play guitar in his early teens, but he dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. After playing in the Negro American League, he was signed by RCA Victor and in 1967 he became the first African-American singer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. (Later, in 1993, Pride became the Grande Ole Opry’s first African-American member.) “Just Between You And Me” launched Pride to stardom, earning him his first grammy nomination for 1966. In 1969, Pride scored his first No. 1 country hit with “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me).” The recognition led to a long and auspicious career for Pride, who is considered the first African-American superstar in country music. The Recording Academy will also honor Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone and the Velvet Underground with the Lifetime Achievement Award. “This year’s Special Merit Awards recipients comprise a prestigious group of diverse and influential creators who have crafted or contributed to some of the most distinctive recordings in music history,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “These exceptionally inspiring figures are being honored as legendary performers, creative architects, and technical visionaries. Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their respective crafts have created a timeless legacy.” The Lifetime Achievement Award celebrates performers who have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance to the field of recording, while the Trustees Award honors contributions in areas other than performance. The recipients are determined by vote of The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. Technical grammy Award recipients are voted on by The Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing Advisory Council and Chapter Committees, and are ratified by The Academy’s Trustees. The award is presented to individuals and/or companies who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording industry.

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Star-studded Smoky Mountains Rise Telethon Raises Nearly $9 million so far

News / Editor

Millions watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon and millions were raised. The telethon, broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network Tuesday, received huge donations from music stars like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul Simon and Dierks Bentley but also from families across the country who just want to give the people of Dolly’s home area a hand up in the tragic wildfires. “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People,” Dolly Parton explained. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million dollars for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.” The total amount raised is expected to rise as mail donations are counted and the telethon is rebroadcast to new audiences over the next five days. Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org. For those wishing to send donations via mail, those contributions should be sent to: My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863. Donations are also being accepted by texting DOLLY to 501501 for a onetime $10 donation or DOLLY25 to 501501 for a onetime $25 donation. Messaging and data rates will apply. More than 1300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund to provide $1000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence. Artists who donated their performances to the effort include: Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big & Rich, LOCASH, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent. Dolly hosted the overall telethon with friends HLN’s Robin Meade, GAC’s Suzanne Alexander and Nan Kelly, The Bobby Bones Show’s Bobby Bones, SiriusXM’s Storme Warren, Crook & Chase hosts Lorriane Crook and Charlie Chase, Nash Night LIVE’s Shaun Parr and Elaina D. Smith, and TuneIn Country Roads’ Kelly Sutton will share hosting duties throughout the three-hour broadcast. Celebrities also donated their time to answer phones including: Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners’ cast members Mark and Digger, Nashville’s Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry & Rudy Gatlin, TG Sheppard, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hit makers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC & The Sunshine Band, hot new country artists Lucas Hoge and Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, and members of the Tennessee Titans. Several other celebrities shared special video messages during the telethon including: Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show’s Willie Geist.

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Katie Melua launches competition for choirs

News / Editor

Inspired by her recent work with the Gori Women’s Choir, Katie Melua is inviting choirs across Europe to perform their own renditions of one of the songs from her acclaimed new album IN WINTER. In a video to launch the competition Katie says: “My latest album has been a team up with the Gori Women’s Choir from Georgia. They have been so inspiring to me but I know there are lots of amazing choirs out there so I want to see if you might be up for adopting one of the songs – ‘Dreams On Fire’ – from the new album and bringing it to life in your own way”. The top prize will see Katie visiting the winning choir in its hometown to perform ‘Dreams On Fire’ with the choir. Full details of the competition can be viewed at katiemelua.com/choir-competition-en/. The entry deadline is February 28th 2017 at midnight. ‘Dreams On Fire’ is written by Katie Melua and Don Black, with choral arrangements by Bob Chilcott. The song was premiered on Radio 2 by Michael Ball who said at the time “what a lovely sound, very mellow, very evocative. The sound of the choir…utterly beautiful”. Speaking about the song Katie explained “I feel the stillness of the winter season really causes us to reflect on our lives and relationships, wondering if our loved ones share the same feelings when it comes to growth and the fear of change. I consider Don Black a master of lyric writing, and the words in this song sit right at the heart of a lover’s insecurity.” Warmly arranged and beautifully executed, IN WINTER is a unique collection of songs centred round the theme of winter. Ranging from original works inspired by Katie’s childhood in Georgia, to new interpretations of traditional carols, choral works and folk songs, and performed by Katie and the Gori Women’s Choir in English, Russian, Romanian, Ukrainian and Georgian, the album features the arrangements of world-renowned choral arranger Bob Chilcott and is co-produced by Katie herself. In addition to ‘Dreams On Fire’ Katie weaves in a pristine cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’, a spellbinding ‘All Night Vigil–Nunc Dimittis’ (Rachmaninov), the stunningly beautiful ‘The Little Swallow’ and a restrained and enchanting version of ‘O Holy Night’ to deliver a remarkable record which has been widely praised.

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Brothers Duo The Cactus Blossoms Bring Their Timeless Sound To The UK In January

News / Editor

Brothers Jack and Page Burkhum, The Catcus Blossoms, bring their wonderful and hugely-acclaimed blend of country tinged rock n roll to these shores in January for a short run of dates for that will be their first UK tour including a headline show at Bush Hall, London on January 23rd. With their 2016 Red House debut, You’re Dreaming, The Cactus Blossoms appeared seemingly from nowhere, garnering comparisons to classic sibling duos. Born and raised in Minneapolis, the brothers found themselves drawn to classic folk and country music, honing their songwriting skills with weekly gigs at former country 1940s honkytonk (and now music club) The Turf Club in St. Paul, MN. With the kind of blood harmonies that make your scalp tingle, the brothers made the genre their own and started working originals into their weekly sets of classics; people couldn’t tell the difference. A chance gig opening for JD McPherson brought him on board as a fan — he is the producer behind You’re Dreaming. Though they came from a musical family, they didn’t naturally inherit their deep understanding of early American music. By tracing their heroes’ footsteps back to the roots, they came into their style in a very genuine way. By absorbing these musical discoveries, a natural alchemy took place and what transpired is the tasteful rejuvenation and transformation of a retro sound by a modern duo. With press ranging from a Rolling Stone “Artist to Watch,” NPR Heavy Rotation, NPR All Things Considered, Folk Alley, Noisey, Garden & Gun, CMT, A Prairie Home Companion and much more, the brothers have brought a breath of fresh air and vitality to the roots music scene.

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Canary Wharf London Announces Dates for the 2017 Nashville Meets London Music Festival

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London-based company, Canary Wharf Management, Ltd has announced the dates for the 2017 Nashville Meets London Music Festival. Scheduled for July 22-23, the two day event will bring together performers that represent Nashville and the UK with audiences from London and beyond to experience performances by established artists and exciting new talent. The event is free and open to the public. The inaugural Nashville Meets London festival, which took place in August 2016, drew thousands of festival goers to the Canary Wharf estate that were actively engaged in the show – singing, dancing and many baring Country-lifestyle attire. The event drew an impressive number of people and left an overwhelmingly positive response among UK-based Country music fans and locals. The site of the annual festival, Canada Square Park, is located in the heart of Canary Wharf and is surrounded by award-winning gardens and over 300 shops, bars and restaurants. Canary Wharf is located in the former London Docklands. For the past ten years, Canary Wharf has hosted the Canary Wharf Jazz Festival, which is largest free jazz festival in the UK, and has a long history of promoting arts and culture throughout its estate. Nashville Meets London is co-produced by Canary Wharf Arts + Events, Peter Conway Management and Nashville-based agency, The AristoMedia Group. Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2 Country DJ, is the artistic program consultant. About Canary Wharf: Canary Wharf Group plc has overseen the largest urban regeneration project ever undertaken in Europe, designing and building more than 16m sq ft of iconic London real estate, which now houses local and international companies and renowned retailers. The Canary Wharf Estate is a major retail destination comprising five shopping malls, including the award-winning Crossrail Place, housing one of London’s most stunning roof gardens. It also has world-class, year-round arts and events programme offering over 100 diverse and culturally inspiring events performed throughout the Estate. Canary Wharf Group is a wholly owned joint venture between Brookfield Property Partners and the Qatar Investment Authority.

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Review: The Western Flyers WILD BLUE YONDER

Top Picks / Editor

The Western Flyers WILD BLUE YONDER Versa Tone Records 4.5 stars Fresh take on a classic American art form Sounding like the energetic authentic Western Swing version of the Star Wars cantina band, this new band manage to combine Western Swing, hot jazz, cowboy songs and fantastic fiddle tunes into a truly unique country offering. Blending the classic with the new, this band, comprised of guitarist Joe McKenzie, National Swing Fiddle Champion Katie Glassman and upright bassist Gavin Kelso puts a new spin on the classic with an enjoyable groove which instantly brings to mind a packed 1940’s Texas saloon just off the trail. These three accomplished musicians, each with a wealth of experience, combine to produce a version of vintage Western swing which I found particularly charming. It’s clear to see why these three have come together and I welcome the corroboration which is difficult to see being negatively received by die-hard traditionalists and newbies to country-alike. Of particular note in the generous 36 minute, 13 track album is the welcoming, upbeat and aptly named You’re From Texas and the lively Sweet Georgia Brown. Definitely a band to watch out for – watch this space! Michael Locke www.thewesternflyers.com

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Shane Owens' Where I'm Comin' From debuts on top 30 iTunes country album chart as it hits stores

News / Editor

Acoustic Videos Premiered on Taste of Country, Nashville Country Club, Country Music Minute, Whiskey Riff, Roughstock, Digital Rodeo and The Boot. Amerimonte Records recording artist Shane Owens’ debut album, Where I’m Comin’ From, is now available on iTunes,Amazon and shaneowenscountry.com. Acoustic videos for multiple tracks have premiered throughout the week in advance of the release today. This weekend Shane joins Hillbilly Jim on his ‘Moonshine Matinee’ on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country Channel 60 on Saturday, December 10 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET and Sunday, December 11 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET. In addition, Shane will be spotlighted as New Music Nashville’s “Independent Artist of the Week.” Fans of Shane Owens can see the acoustic video for his current single, “Country Never Goes Out of Style” on Taste of Country. Owens performs his rendition of “Chicken Truck,” originally made famous by Country outlaw John Anderson, on Nashville Country Club. The Alabama native credits a life-changing lady in the tongue-in-cheek track, “Blame It On A Woman” seen on Country Music Minute. The track “Country Boy Can” brings out the romantic side of Owens, found on Roughstock. In a time of change in country music Owens’ debut album restores depth to the genre with songs such as the emotionally charged “Alcohol of Fame” featured on Whiskey Riff.”God and The Ground She Walked On,” a faith-based track, can be viewed on The Boot. Owens brings back the good guy in his track “All The Beer In Alabama,” acoustic video found on Digital Rodeo. Where I’m Comin’ From is available for purchase in select retailers nationwide through Memphis, TN based distributor, Select-O-Hits, and through online retailers, as it debuts in Top 30 on iTunes Country Album Chart. The 11- song collection was produced by James Stroud (Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Clint Black, Aaron Lewis) and executive produced by country icon Randy Travis and industry executive Steve Popovich Jr. Owens’ current single off the album, “Country Never Goes Out of Style” reached Top 40 on the MUSICROW CountryBreakout Chart and Top 15 on CDX TRACtion Power Train Chart. In the past year, Shane has released two nationally-promoted music videos which impacted almost every major DMA in the U.S. and also included significant airplay in the UK, Ireland and Europe. Videos are currently available on CMT.com and are being aired on The Country Network (33 million households), AXS-TV (45 million households), Great American Country (63 million households) and The Heartland Network (18 million households).

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