February 2016

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The live performers have been announced for the 51st ACM Awards

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The performers have now been announced for the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards. The ACM and dick clark productions have announced that country stars Cam, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line will perform at 2016’s Awards. The ceremony will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley and will be broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV on Sunday, April 3rd at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network. In addition to Kenny Chesney’s ACM Awards performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, as previously announced he will also be raced over to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds where he is headlining the last night of the 4th ACM Party for a Cause® Festival. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

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JD & The Straight Shot to release new album on February 26. Win a copy…

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Americana blues band, JD & The Straight Shot, will release their latest project, BALLYHOO! on CD and vinyl on February 26. JD started JD & The Straight Shot in 2000. He now fronts an accomplished four person band, including guitarist Marc Copely (Rosanne Cash, McCrary Sisters, Billy Squier), guitarist Aidan Dolan, bassist Byron House  (Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris), and violinist Erin Slaver (Rod Stewart, Trace Adkins, Martina McBride), all of whom also contribute to the songwriting. In their new album, the band explores a stripped-down version of its distinctive sound. The completely acoustic project is storytelling at its finest, steeped in the quiet fire of Americana with elements of blues and rustic New Orleans roots music. In addition to their most recent project, BALLYHOO!, the band has recorded five albums and opened for the Eagles, Keith Urban, and the Dixie Chicks. To win a free copy of their new CD, answer the question below. Send your answer A, B or C, contact number, full name and address to competitions@maverick-country.com by March 8, 12.00am. Three lucky winners will be picked. What was the name of JD & The Straightshots’ 2014 album: A) Where I’ve Been B) Where I’d Like To Go C) Where Are We?

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Mary Chapin Carpenter to release new album and headline the Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival

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Singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter will release her new album, THE THINGS THAT WE ARE MADE OF, on May 6. The release was produced by 2016 Producer of the Year Grammy-nominee Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton) and features eleven new songs, including the lead track Something Tamed Something Wild. THE THINGS THAT WE ARE MADE OF was recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium and Low Country Sound studios during the spring and summer of 2016. In addition to Carpenter (vocals, electric/acoustic guitar), the album features Cobb (electric/acoustic/gut string guitar, percussion, Moog, Mellotron), Annie Clements (bass), Brian Allen (bass), Chris Powell (drums, percussion), Mike Webb (piano, B3 organ, reed organ, Mellotron, Fender Rhodes) and Jimmy Wallace (piano, B3 organ). Carpenter has said that: “Working with Dave felt great from the first day of our sessions. He is always willing to try something new, believes that ‘yes’ is the only answer, and surrounds himself with wonderfully talented and generous musicians; by the end of the project, I felt as if I was a part of a new family.” Cobb adds: “I wanted to work with Mary Chapin because very few people can cut with words like she can. She’s an absolute poet and legend. I was so happy to collaborate on this album together.” In celebration of the release, Carpenter will return to the UK and will headline Bob Harris’ Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival at Silverstone Woodlands on Sunday May 29. Photo credit: Russ Harrington

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The search begins for members of a new National Youth Folk Ensemble

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The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) has launched a nationwide search for talented young musicians to become the first members of the new National Youth Folk Ensemble. A series of Sampler Days will be held throughout England during May and June to audition musicians aged 14 to 18 for up to 25 places in the Ensemble, which is supported by Arts Council England. Led by the Ensemble’s Artistic Director, BBC Radio 2’s Folk Musician of the Year 2015 Sam Sweeney, each Sampler Day will include creative workshops with a team of professional folk artists, individual auditions, and a question and answer session with Ensemble staff. Selected musicians will be invited to a final audition in London in July. To register for a Sampler Day, musicians have to be aged between 14 and 18 on 1 September 2016, live in England, be able to play confidently on any instrument and have an interest in folk music. Places on the Sampler Days are free but limited and booking is essential at www.efdss.org/nationalyouthfolkensemble. Katy Spicer, EFDSS Chief Executive and Artistic Director, said: “We are looking for excellent instrumentalists who are dedicated to developing as folk musicians and excited about collaborating with others who share their passion.  This is a unique opportunity for young musicians and the first time a group of this kind has been established on a national basis. It offers a chance to develop in a nurturing environment with experienced and skilled musicians. “We are hoping the Ensemble will discover, encourage and inspire the folk performers, educators and leaders of the future, and we would encourage as many young musicians as possible to sign up to the Sampler Days.” National Youth Folk Ensemble Sampler Days 2016: Sun May 8 – Birmingham Conservatoire Sat 28 – Sage Gateshead Sun 29 – Leeds College of Music Mon 30 – Manchester, Royal Northern College of Music Tue 31 – Derby, Guildhall Theatre Thu Jun 2 – Exeter Phoenix Fri 3 – London, Cecil Sharp House Sat 11 – Cambridge, West Road Concert Hall Sun 12 – Didcot, Cornerstone The National Youth Folk Ensemble will formally launch in October.  Members will take part in four weeks of intensive residential courses around the country, receiving high quality tuition and guidance from leading professional folk artists. They will also develop skills in performance, arrangement, leadership and facilitation and give public performances.

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Folk Alliance International kicks off 28th annual conference

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Folk Alliance International (FAI) kicked off its 28th Annual Conference tonight with the International Folk Music Awards Gala held in the Century Ballroom at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, MO. The awards show presented six Spirit of Folk Awards, three Lifetime Achievement Awards, and the introduction of three new awards categories, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year. A list of award winners is below. Hosted by Steve Poltz and sponsored by Prohibition Hall, the awards show featured performances by Spirit of Folk Award recipient 99-year-old Arkansas fiddler Violet Hensley, Anishaabe drummer, dancer and singer Mimkii Osawamick, Derbyshire, UK-based singer/songwriter and Album of Year nominee Bella Hardy, and Massachusetts-based quartet Darlingside. International Folk Music Award 2016 Winners: Album of the Year: Rhiannon Giddens, Tomorrow Is My Turn Song of the Year: The Stray Birds, “Best Medicine” Artist of the Year: Darlingside Spirit of Folk Awards: Troy Campbell, Violet Hensley, Sam Lee, Dave Siglin, Phyllis Stenson, and Tony Turner Lifetime Achievement Awards: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (Living), Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee (Legacy), English Folk Dance Society (Business/Organization) About Folk Alliance International Folk Alliance International (FAI) is a registered 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. With five regional affiliates throughout the United States that provide conferences and services in their respective markets, the mission of FAI is to nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community—traditional and contemporary, amateur and professional – through education, advocacy and performance. Since 1989, and with over 3,000 members worldwide, Folk Alliance International has served as an organization promoting, advocating and supporting folk music with an annual conference that is one of the five largest music conferences in North America. Folk Alliance continues to grow while providing a unique range of member services to the community, which includes artists, record companies, publishers, presenters, agents, managers, manufacturers, and music support services. (www.folk.org)

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Chris Stapleton 2016

Grammys 2016 Country Music Winners

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Grammys 2016 was just over, and the ecstatic victors wish to have more in the next awarding ceremony. For those who missed the trophies, there will always be a next time. The Grammy 2016 winners in the country music categories were well  chosen. For THE TRAVELLER, two categories went to Chris Stapleton. He bagged the Best in Solo Performance and the Best Album for this year. Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose also pocketed two trophies. They got the Best Country Duo/Group Performance award and bagged the Best Song for Girl Crush, a track from their album PAIN KILLER. In the CMA Awards last November, Girl Crush also took home the Song of the Year award and the Single of the Year. The three winners upped the stage to express their thanks. Lindsey mentioned her baby girl Bennett as their lucky charm. Taste Of Country reported that Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild jubilantly addressed the girl trio saying, “Thank you for bringing us to this big ol’ party.” “This is the best thing ever. Thank you, thank you, we are so happy,” Phillip Sweet uttered. It is another milestone for The Little Big Town. The CMA awards last November was kind to them giving them two trophies. Rolling Stone reported the Awards results for other categories not mentioned above. The song See That My Grave Is Kept Clean performed by Mavis Staples was given the Best American Roots Performance award. Jason Isbell won in two categories: Best American Roots Song and Best American Album. The song 24 Frames and the Something More Than Free album are his winning vehicles. The Steel Drivers got away with the Best Bluegrass Album for their MUSCLE SHOALS RECORDINGS. The Best Blues Album was a compilation of Buddy Guy. His Born to Play Guitar was favored. For the Best Folk Album, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn bagged the award. This year, the Grammy 2016 country music winners were all deserving.

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The Guitar Show Live Stage Line-up Grows

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With less than two weeks to go until the UK’s biggest guitar event, The Guitar Show has added two more exciting home-grown talents to its Live Stage line-up. Joining the likes of Thin Lizzy’s Scott Gorham and folk star Martin Simpson at the show are Adrian Nation (described by Guitar & Bass magazine as “a superior fingerstyle troubadour” and recently seen on Sky TV’s Guitar Star) and fast-rising young blues rocker Krissy Matthews, presented by Patrick James Eggle. Krissy has already supported The Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gregg Allman and Toto in his short career and is definitely one to catch at The Guitar Show. Taking place at Birmingham’s New Bingley Hall on 27 and 28 February, The Guitar Show also features the latest and greatest guitar, amplification and accessory brands in the industry of course. And the involvement of retail partners Fairdeal Music and PMT means special show-only deals will be available throughout the weekend. For a full list of exhibitors, from Marshall and Fender to PRS Guitars and Ibanez see below. Tickets for The Guitar Show are priced at £12.50 in advance and £15 on the door (child tickets for visitors between 6-13 years of age are £7 in advance, £8 on the door), with discounts available on group bookings of ten or more. For more information and ticket booking information visit www.theguitarshow.co.uk The Guitar Show retail sponsors: Fairdeal Music and PMT Media sponsor: Guitar & Bass Magazine Current Exhibitor List Yamaha, Marshall, PRS Guitars, Fender, Blackstar, Peavey, Laney, Vigier, Ibanez, Roland, Boss, LAG Guitars, Orange Amplification, Wampler Pedals, Gordon Smith Guitars, Dean Guitars, Seagull, Simon&Patrick, Godin, Line6, D’Addario, Faith Guitars, Tanglewood, Diezel Amps, Zilla Music, Manson Guitar Works, Cort Guitars, Patrick James Eggle, SIMS Custom, Focusrite, Novation, KRK, Cakewalk, Audio-Technica, Tascam, Westside Distribution, London Guitars, Hot Rod Pickups, Scott Dixon, Stand-Made, James’ Home Of Tone, Crimson Guitars, Kingdom Guitars, Flame Guitars, Stone Wolf Guitars, Hathaway Guitars, Smooth Hound, Tuned Inn, RSM Custom Guitars, James Collins Guitars, Advanced Guitar Centre, Druzkowski Guitars, Thorpy FX, Harris Custom Guitars, Auden Guitars, Matrix Amplification, Panama Guitars, RCF, Custom Pedal Boards, JJ Guitars, Wudtone, Fairdeal Music, PMT, Fret Funk, John Hornby Skewes, Cassidy Guitars, Warman Guitars, Patrick Eggle Guitars, The Fretboard, Jaden Rose Guitars, Little Guitar Shop, Reflex Print, Rob Williams Guitars, Production Room, ACS, Strings And Things, SLead, Eternal Guitars, Guitar & Bass Magazine, Bareknuckle, Madison & Fifth, Heistercamp, Twin Stomp, guitarguitar, guitars4you, Harry’s Guitar Company.

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