February 2016

Stella Parton will celebrate her sister Dolly with a new album, Mountain Songbird

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Stella Parton has announced that she will honour her sister Dolly with a new album, MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD: A SISTER’S TRIBUTE. The album is available now and includes a Dolly and Stella co-written duet, More Power To Ya. MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD comprises re-recorded songs previously made famous by Dolly. The new album project coincides with a 16-date UK tour  running from February to March. “I have been asked many times throughout my career to record an entire album of her music, but in my heart and mind, I never felt I could ever do her music or performances justice. So in the end, while making the decision to record this tribute album of eleven of my favourites, I decided to sing the story songs because they resonated with me the most,” Stella said. Stella chose to release the album on her sister’s birthday, January 19. “I wanted this to come out on her special day. Dolly has always been my favourite songwriter, although I grew up in a family chocked full of them. It was indeed a daunting task to choose 11 of my favourite songs from a catalog so vast. I have chosen to sing them as sincerely and respectfully as possible and I hope you can hear that in my humble and honest approach to my sister’s beautiful songs. I am pleased and honoured to share my sister tribute” Stella said. “Stella is a great singer, entertainer and songwriter. All the more reason I am so proud she decided to do a tribute CD of my songs,” Dolly said. “She was there from the beginning of my career and always complimented and encouraged me in my writing. I admire and respect the way that she chose to do my songs. She stayed true to the original spirit in which I wrote them and yet found a way to make them her own. I really love how they turned out and I think you will, too. It’s been a personal source of joy to be able to hear this loving tribute from one sister to another and just to be able to work that closely with her. I am especially proud of the song we wrote together More Power To Ya. I hope you will enjoy this CD as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it for you.” MOUNTAIN SONGBIRD: A SISTER’S TRIBUTE TRACK LISTING: 1. Mountain Songbird 2. In the Good Old Days 3. Jolene 4. Blackie Kentucky 5. Coat of Many Colors 6. Bargain Store 7. Steady as the Rain 8. Down from Dover 9. Just Because I’m a Woman 10. The Flame 11. Seeker 12. I Will Always Love You 13. More Power To Ya (duet with Dolly)

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Locust Honey String Band

Live events /

North Carolina-formed, now Nashville-based old-time/bluegrass trio Locust Honey String Band have announced extensive February-March UK & Ireland tour in support of their new album NEVER LET ME CROSS YOUR MIND. Thu Feb 25: Lincs, Ewerby Reading Rooms Fri 26: Belchford, St Peter & Paul Church Sat 27: Notts. Norwell Village Hall Sun 28: Lincs, Braceborough Village Hall Mon 29: Rainham, The Oast House Community Centre Tue Mar 1: Birmingham, Kitchen Garden Café Wed 2: London, Green Note Thu 3: Warks, Kineton Sports & Social Club Fri 4: Warks, Clows Top Victory Hall Sat 5: Derbyshire, Chinley Community Centre Sun 6: Moreton, Millennium Community Centre Mon 7: Sarratt, The Cock Inn, The Old Barn Sessions Tue 8: Leicester, The Musician Wed 9: Towersey, The Three Horseshoes Thu 10: Barry, West End Club Fri 11: Newcastle upon Tyne, Studio at Live Theatre Sat 12: Scarborough, Woodend Gallery Sun 13: Beverley, The Rose & Crown Mon 14: Hawick String Theory, Tower Mill Café Bar Tue 15: Glasgow, Woodend Bowling and Tennis Club Thu 17: Ballater, The Deeside Inn Sat 19: Renfrewshire, Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre Sun 20: Stranraer, The Grapes Mon 21: Omagh, Myles K. McCann’s Tue 22: Cookstown, The Red Room Wed 23: Galway, Róisín Dubh Thu 24: Listowel, St. Johns Theatre Sat 26: Naul, The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre Sun 27: Roscommon, JJ Harlow’s Mon 28: Kilkee, The Greyhound Bar Tue 29: Sixmilebridge, The Mill Bar, Sixmilebridge Folk Club

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This week saw the Country Radio Seminar return to Nashville

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Radio Personnel met this week in Nashville for  the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) 2016, country radio’s biggest event of the year. The three-day conference began on Monday, February 8 at its new home, Omni Nashville. CRS 2016 provided various educational and networking opportunities and the agenda was packed full of instructive discussions, intriguing panels. Performances came from some of country music’s biggest stars as well as some of the most talked about emerging acts of 2015-2016. Several favourites from past years returned too, including the Grand Ole Opry at CRS, Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, Team UMG at The Ryman luncheon and more. Additionally, Big Machine Label Group hosted their first CRS-sanctioned luncheon. Notable discussions and panels that took place at CRS 2016 were the ‘New Views From the Top’ keynote discussion, CRS research presentation ‘What Content Makes Country Radio Matter’ presented by Edison Research and the ‘Programmers Boot Camp’ series, sponsored by Benztown. This year’s seminar also included an appearance from featured speaker, Tim McGraw. CRS welcomed a number of other after-hour destinations and sponsored events, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Reception and Gallery Tours, Mix Lounge, in2une/Momentum Label Group Showcase, Nashville-Access Superpick Showcase, Reviver Records After Hours Party, SSM Nashville Beer Garden, Stallions Entertainment Showcase, Smith & Wesley Performance at Barlines, Thirty Tigers at The Stage, the SMG CRS Fest 2016 at Margaritaville (sponsored by Spin Doctors)and more.

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The first Americana Music Association UK Awards are set for a bright future

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The UK Americana Awards, which is set to become an annual event, closed out two days of festivities at this year’s Americana Music Association UK conference. In a night celebrating the UK’s vibrant and growing Americana scene, the AMA-UK welcomed an audience of guests, AMA-UK delegates, members of the music industry, and the public. Attendees were treated to performances from Billy Bragg, Danny & The Champions of The World, Bear’s Den, The Dreaming Spires, Lewis & Leigh, Emily Barker, Robert Vincent, Gretchen Peters, and Cale Tyson. Danny & The Champions of the World and Gretchen Peters were the evening’s big winners at London’s St. John at Hackney on February 2, 2016. Danny & The Champions of the World won UK Artist, UK Album, and UK Song of the Year while Gretchen Peters took home International Album and International Song of the Year. Bonnie Raitt, Elizabeth McGovern, Ricky Ross, Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Kimmie Rhodes, Ralph McLean, and Mark Hagen joined host Bob Harris and musical director Ethan Johns as special guest presenters. Billy Bragg was presented the Trailblazer Award by Chris Difford for his contribution to the genre and receiving the prestigious Bob Harris Emerging Artist Award was Robert Vincent. Swedish duo First Aid Kit were recognised with an award for the official highest selling Americana album of 2015 in the UK (OfficialCharts.com) for their album Stay Gold. Nominees of the seven member-voted awards are below (with winners in italics): UK Album of the Year – Presented by Mark Hagen WHAT KIND OF LOVE – Danny & The Champions of the World / Produced by Chris Clarke and Danny George Wilson SEARCHING FOR THE SUPERTRUTH – The Dreaming Spires / Produced by The Dreaming Spires THE TOERAG SESSIONS – Emily Barker / Produced by Liam Watson IF I WAS – The Staves / Produced by Justin Vernon International Album of the Year – Presented by Bonnie Raitt BLACKBIRDS – Gretchen Peters / Produced by Doug Lancio, Gretchen Peters, and Barry Walsh SOMETHING MORE THAN FREE – Jason Isbell / Produced by Dave Cobb PAGEANT MATERIAL – Kacey Musgraves / Produced by Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves INTRODUCING CALE TYSON – Cale Tyson / Produced by Cale Tyson UK Artist of the Year – Presented by Ricky Ross Danny & The Champions of the World Bear’s Den The Dreaming Spires Lewis & Leigh International Artist of the Year – Presented by Jed Hilly Jason Isbell The Bros. Landreth Gretchen Peters Sturgill Simpson UK Song of the Year – Presented by Beth Nielsen Chapman Clear Water – Danny & The Champions of the World / Written by Danny George Wilson and Paul Lush Agape – Bear’s Den / Written by Andrew Davie, Kevin Jones, and Johannes Refsdal Rubble – Lewis & Leigh / Written by Al Lewis and Alva Leigh Black & White – The Staves / Written by The Staves International Song of the Year – Presented by Elizabeth McGovern Blackbirds – Gretchen Peters / Written by Gretchen Peters and Ben Glover 24 Frames – Jason Isbell / Written by Jason Isbell All These Dreams – Andrew Combs / Written by Andrew Combs and Jabe Beyer American Middle Class – Angaleena Presley / Written by Angaleena Presley UK Instrumentalist of the Year – Presented by Kimmie Rhodes and Ralph MacLean BJ Cole Joseph Bennett Spencer Cullum Jr Paul Lush

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Amelia White – HOME SWEET HOTEL

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Amelia White HOME SWEET HOTEL White-Wolf Records [usr 4] Gritty and melodic set from Nashville singer-songwriter Amelia White’s voice has the craggy, jagged grit and pain of Lucinda Williams at her best but it also has a sweetness that Ms Williams doesn’t possess. Allied to White’s gift for melody, some mighty fine playing from her musicians and songs that can go toe to toe with anyone and you have an album that, even this early, is going to be one of the best of the year. White has been making music for 15 years or so and this is her eighth outing (at least, it’s a bit vague). Her experience of life on the road described in the title track, encapsulates her greatness. A subject that’s been done to death and one rife with clichés, it’s basically a complete no-no for a writer. But, over some fuzzy guitar and a hooky tune White avoids the pitfalls, avoids the self-pity and makes something new. ‘It can bring you down, it can bring you round’ she sings, a sentiment that’s universal. It’s the same story with Rainbow Over The East Side, which is about Nashville but could be anybody’s hometown. Elsewhere, the sultry Right Back To My Arms has echoes of classic country a la Patsy Cline and the lashing of gossips in Dogs Bark raises a smile. Every song opens with a melody that gets you from the off, every tune drives the words into the consciousness. The musical pace is steady, there’s no rocking out, no funereal dirges, things never drag or race by, they’re just… right. A great start to the year. Jeremy Searle http://www.ameliawhite.com

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Bonnie Raitt

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Mon Feb 22: California, KCSN Benefit Concert Thu Mar 10: Virginia, Carpenter Theatre Sat 13: New York, Eastman Theatre Tue 15: Toronto, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts Wed 16 Detroit, Opera House Fri 18: St. Louis, Peabody Opera House Sat 19: Louisville, Palace Theatre Tue 22: Chicago, The Chicago Theatre Wed 23: Pittsburgh, Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts Fri 25: Philadelphia, Kimmel Center Sat 26: Washington, The Kennedy Center Tue 29: Boston, Orpheum Theatre Fri Apr 1 – Sat 2: New York, Beacon Theatre Sun 17: Portland, Keller Auditorium Wed 20: Seattle, Paramount Theatre Fri 22: Reno, Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino Sat 23: Oakland, Fox Theatre Tue 26: Dallas, Winspear Opera House Wed 27: Austin, ACL Live at the Moody Theatre Fri 29: Houston, Revention Music Center Tue May 3 – Wed 4: Nashville, Ryman Auditorium Thu 26: Manchester, Bridgewater Hall Fri 27: Gateshead, Sage Sun 29: Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall Mon 30: Birmingham, Symphony Hall Wed Jun 1: London, Eventim Apollo Thu 2: Bristol, Colston Hall Sat 4: Holland, International Blues Festival Mon 6: Brussels, Cirque Royale Tue 7: Frankfurt, Alte Oper Hall Fri 10: Denmark, Godset Sat 11: Copenhagen, Amager Bio

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Ron Pope & The Nighthawks

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* with Jonathan Tyler and truett ** with Trevor Hall and truett *** with Jonathan Tyler and Tim Olstad **** with truett Feb Thu 18: Atlanta, Variety Playhouse * Fri 19: Nashville, Mercy Lounge * Sat 20: Philadelphia, Trocadero Theatre * Sun 21: Boston, Royale * Tue 23: Pittsburgh, Altar Bar * Wed 24: Cleveland, Beachland Ballroom * Thu 25: Ann Arbor, Blind Pig * Fri 26: Chicago, Metro * Sat 27: Minneapolis, Mill City Nights *** Tue Mar 1: Seattle, Neumos **** Wed 2: Portland, Star Theatre **** Fri 4: San Francisco, Great American Music Hall **** Sat 5: Los Angeles, Teragram Ballroom **** Sun 6: Phoenix, Crescent Ballroom * Tue 8: Denver, Bluebird Theater **** Thu 10: Oaklahoma, ACM Performance Lab * Fri 11: Dallas, Granada Theater **** Sat 12: Houston, Warehouse Live * Tue 15: Austin, SXSW

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Discovering Lucy Angel

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Up and coming, Nashville-based, country band Lucy Angel consists of mother Kate Anderton and her daughters Lindsay and Emily. After playing gigs across the world, Lucy Angel are putting themselves out there with new single Crazy Too and a brand new documentary that will look at the highs and lows of their growing musical career. Maverick found out more… How did Lucy Angel begin? Kate Anderton: Well I guess it all started when a farm boy and an army brat fell in love in college, got married and had four kids. The girls grew up singing with me in different projects so forming a band was kind of inevitable. The three  of us have been singing together as Lucy Angel since we moved to Nashville. Who has influenced you the most musically and how would you describe your sound? Kate Anderton: Being three individuals who have been known to share a “common brain” we have a lot of influences. I grew up listening to The Beatles, Carole King, and opera thrown in from my father. My love of country music started with listening to standards from Willie, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and Brenda Lee.  Collectively, we love everyone from Michael Jackson to Garth Brooks, Adele, the Dixie Chicks, Huey Lewis, Ronnie Milsap, Reba, Trisha Yearwood, Sheryl Crow and Shania. Our sound is driven by close harmonies, strong melodies and honest lyrics that we hope everyone can relate to. We know the  three of us can 🙂 How long have you been chasing your musical dreams? Lindsay Anderton: It’s truly been a lifetime in the making. In 2003 we decided if we really wanted to make this dream of singing country music a reality we had to move from our home in Phoenix, AZ to Nashville, TN. Music is what we do, who we are and why we are still here. What is it like to work with your family? Lindsay Anderton: If you’ve ever seen the movie ‘Christmas Vacation’ it’s like that but all year long. The honest truth is that we are all best friends and would not have it any other way. It’s pretty unique and special to be able to share these experiences as a family. Naturally, as with any family there are some bumps in the road but luckily we all have a sense of humour and that’s how we survive. How did the TV series ‘Discovering Lucy Angel’ come about? Emily Anderton: J.T. Taylor (Creator of hit TV show ‘The Osbournes’) which followed Ozzy Osbourne and his family and Terry Tompkins (Eggplant Productions) saw some of our YouTube videos. After they flew out to Nashville to meet the family and hear us sing we filmed a sizzle reel. The show was picked up and we started filming the 13 episode series a few months later. J.T. said it best “I thought that the story of this incredibly likeable, funny and talented all-American family struggling to make it in the music business was a story worth telling.” What’s been the highlight of your career so far? Emily Anderton: It was definitely surreal being the first Western Hemisphere act to sing at the Great Hall of The People in Beijing, China. It is mind blowing that on the opposite side of the world there are such huge country music fans. We’re also pretty sure it was the first time Cowboy boots set foot in the Great Hall. What do you have planned next? Emily, Lindsay and Kate Anderton: We are so excited for 2016! Coming off the success of our single Crazy Too we are gearing up for the next single release to radio early spring. We’ll be touring the US and can’t wait to get back for some shows in Europe and the UK. ‘Discovering Lucy Angel’ premieres February 14  on Showbiz TV – Sky 266 @ 7.30pm Their album LUCY ANGEL is released on February 19. Photo: Jake Anderton

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