August 2016

James House is back performing in the UK with new tour dates!

Live events, News /

James House is back in the UK with his stellar band for three shows only September 29th October 1st and 2nd. Performing his own hits plus the #1 hits he’s written for The Mavericks, Dwight Yoakum, Martina McBride, Sara Evans and more. Since it’s release here 2 years ago his Epic Records Release “This Is Me Missing You” continues to be the #1 UK country dance track. “I love playing the UK, the fans are the best” says James on his return to the UK.

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Eric Church, Maren Morris and Chris Stapleton lead the list of finalists for the 'The 50th annual CMA awards' with five nominations each

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Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the 2016 CMA Awards Airs Live From the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 on the ABC Television Network. Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Chris Stapleton top the list of final nominees for “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” with five nominations each. This year’s finalists represent the depth and range of Country Music over the past five decades from soulful traditionalists to contemporary groundbreakers. “I am very excited about this year’s list of nominees,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have artists who received their first CMA Awards nominations decades ago alongside first-timers; we have critically-acclaimed songwriters and artists who have reset the bar for Country Music. This is going to be an exciting year in addition to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.” Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban received four nominations and Tim McGraw received three nominations for trophies that will be handed out on Country Music’s Biggest Night™. “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. For the first time on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the announcement of the final nominees in six of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made live from the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, which was home to the annual CMA Awards broadcast from 1974 to 2004. The announcement was made by Bentley, Cam, and Urban. Following “Good Morning America” the six remaining categories were announced by the nominated trio of artists on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo! as well as the “Good Morning America” Facebook page through Facebook Live – making the announcements a complete ABC takeover for the second year. Church’s nominations include Male Vocalist; Album of the Year for MR.MISUNDERSTOOD, which was produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.; Single of the Year for Record Year, which was produced by Joyce and mix engineered by Joyce and Jason Hall; Song of the Year for Record Year, which was written by Church and Jeff Hyde; and Music Video of the Year for Record Year, which was directed by Reid Long and John Peets. Church is a top nominee for the second year in a row, matching the five nominations he received in 2015. He now has a total of 22 nominations since his first in 2011 for New Artist of the Year. Morris didn’t just score her first nomination this year; she scored five, which ties her with Deana Carter (1997), K.T. Oslin (1988), and Gretchen Wilson (2004) for five nods in a debut year by a female artist. Only Kacey Musgraves has more, having received six nominations in 2013. Morris received nominations for Female Vocalist; Album of the Year for HERO, which was produced by busbee, Brad Hill, and Morris; Single of the Year for My Church, which was produced by busbee and Morris and mix engineered by busbee and Dave Clauss; Song of the Year for My Church, which was written by Morris and busbee; and New Artist of the Year. Morris only receives one nomination each for Album and Single of the Year, but can receive additional trophies as producer. After Stapleton’s breakout year in 2015 when he had three nominations and went home with four trophies for Album (including producer), Male Vocalist, and New Artist of the Year, he is back in 2016 with five nominations, including his first for Entertainer of the Year. His list of nods this year also includes Male Vocalist; Single of the Year for Nobody To Blame, which was produced by Stapleton and Dave Cobb and mix engineered by Vance Powell; Music Video of the Year for Fire Away, which was directed by Tim Mattia; and Musical Event of the Year with life and stage partner Morgane Stapleton (her first nomination) for You Are My Sunshine. Stapleton only receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Bentley, a 20-time nominee and two-time winner including the Horizon Award in 2005 (now New Artist of the Year) and Music Video of the Year in 2014 for Drunk On A Plane, will vie for Male Vocalist; Album for BLACK, which was produced by Ross Copperman and Buenahora; Music Video for Somewhere On A Beach, which was directed by Wes Edwards; and Musical Event of the Year for Different for Girls with Elle King (her first CMA Awards nomination). Underwood is a first-time nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category. She also received nominations in Album of the Year for STORYTELLER, which was produced by Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell; and Musical Event of the Year for The Fighter with Urban. She is also nominated for Female Vocalist, which she has won three times (2006-2008). Urban, who has been a nominee every year since 2004, received four CMA Awards nominations in 2016 including Entertainer of the Year, which he won in 2005. Urban’s other nominations include Male Vocalist; Album of the Year for RIPCORD, which was produced by Urban, Dann Huff,Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Greg Wills, Nile Rodgers, busbee, K-Kov, Nathan Chapman, and Jonny Price; and Musical Event of the Year for The Fighter, featuring Underwood. Urban only receives one nomination for Album of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Urban has won the Musical Event category four times including Start A Band with Paisley (2009); Highway Don’t Care with McGraw and Taylor Swift (2013); We Were Us with Miranda Lambert (2014); and Raise ‘Em Up, featuring Church (2015). McGraw, a 38-time CMA Awards nominee, received three nominations including Male Vocalist (his last nomination in the category was 2003); Single of the Year for Humble and Kind, which was produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore (Gallimore also mix engineered the song); and Music Video of the Year for Humble and Kind, which was directed by Edwards. He last won the Music Video category in 2013 for Highway Don’t Care with Swift and Urban. McGraw only receives one nomination for Single of the Year, but can receive an additional trophy as producer. Artists receiving two nominations include Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Cam, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, and Thomas Rhett. Ballerini, who received her

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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to Release Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years

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For five decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has remained one of the most iconic names in American roots music. With one foot planted in the traditions of country-folk and the other pointing toward something new and unexpected, the group continues to tour and release music, influencing multiple generations of audiences and artists along the way. Nearly a dozen of those artists join the group on this year’s Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years concert album, available as a CD or as a CD/DVD combo, due out September 30th on the band’s own NGDB Records, LLC, distributed by Warner Music Nashville. Recorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends captures a group of longtime road warriors who’ve yet to lose their grit, joined onstage by John Prine, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Byron House, and Jerry Douglas. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer (and early Dirt Band member) Jackson Browne joined in, along with longtime member Jimmy Ibbotson, while a sold-out crowd sings along in the background. From country classics to deep cuts, the tracklist finds bandmates Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie  Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals) and John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin) swapping harmonies, trading solos, and shining new light on a catalog of vital, vibrant music. Long before Americana music had a name, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band helped lead the charge, mixing elements of country, bluegrass, folk, mountain music, and rock & roll into a sound that celebrated the full range of American music. The guys were traditionalists and trendsetters, performing songs that nodded to the past while still pushing toward the future. Released in 1972 — just six years after the group formed in Southern California — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken still stands as one of the most beloved albums in the country catalog, pairing the young band with legends like Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, and Mother Maybelle Carter. Many decades have passed since that milestone album’s release, with the members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band now enjoying their own legendary status. They continue to blur lines between genres, however, and the upcoming Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends accomplishes something very similar to the classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken, pairing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with the hit-makers, rule-breakers, and iconic figures of today’s roots music community. This time, Hanna, Fadden, Carpenter, and McEuen are the elder statesmen, passing down their influence and inspiration to a younger class without giving up the torch just yet. There’s more music to be made, after all. More shows to play. Another half-century to chase down. The circle rolls on.

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MARK CHESNUTT EXTENDS TRADITION LIVES TOUR INTO 2017

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Traditional country music fans, rejoice! Due to high demand, sold out shows and the success of his brand new album, platinum-selling country hitmaker Mark Chesnutt is extending his Tradition Lives Tour into next year. In celebration of his first album of all-new material in eight years, Tradition Lives, Chesnutt has hit the road to share songs from the new release, as well as his biggest hits, with concert-goers around the U.S. Tradition Lives is available on iTunes, Amazon and at MarkChesnutt.com. Since rising to fame in 1990 with “Too Cold At Home,” Chesnutt has continuously cemented himself as one of the hardest-working performers in the genre, with nearly 150 tour dates booked each year. With 14 No. 1 hits, 23 Top 10s and four platinum albums, it comes as no surprise that fans continue to pile into clubs and honky-tonks night after night to see the traditional-minded country sensation perform live. “There won’t be any hip-hop, bro-country, dancing around. It’s going to be fun. A lot of country songs, a lot of shuffle songs and Texas honky-tonk. It could get rowdy, but the music will always be there for you, right in your face,” says Chesnutt of the Tradition Lives Tour. Fans will enjoy singing along to chart toppers like, “A Little Too Late,” “Gonna Get A Life,” “I’ll Think Of Something,” “Goin’ Through The Big D,” “It Sure Is Monday,” “Brother Jukebox” and “I Just Wanted You To Know.” Mark Chesnutt sticks to his roots on his latest project, featuring 12 new songs, all of which possess the classic country sound Chesnutt has been known for throughout the last three decades. To purchase tickets to an upcoming show on the Tradition Lives Tour, please visit MarkChesnutt.com.

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Join whispering Bob at his first ever festival on September 10th!

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Whispering Bob Harris’ inaugural Under The Apple Tree Roots Festival at Cadogan Hall will be a beautiful, intimate event featuring all of Bob’s favourite artists, held in the prestigious Cadogan Hall. This first festival will bring together all of the things Bob’s career has been built on – authentic, wonderful music in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.  

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Melbourne folk-duo Oh Pep! have announced a full UK tour this October

Live events, News /

Melbourne folk-duo Oh Pep! have announced a full UK tour this October/ November including a show at The Lexington in London on Friday 28th October. UK TOUR: Tuesday 25th October – The Latest Music Bar, Brighton Wednesday 26th October – Boileroom , Guildford Thursday 27th October – The Wardrobe, Leeds Friday 28th October – The Lexington, London Sunday 30th October – The Hug And Pint, Glasgow Monday 31st October – The Cluny 2, Newcastle Tuesday 1st November – Gullivers, Manchester Wednesday 2nd November – Start The Bus, Bristol Doctor Doctor was the first single released from the Australian duo’s debut album Stadium Cake (due for UK release at the end of August on STAR HOUSE); and received rave reviews including as God Is In The TV Zine’s Track Of The Day, and being described as “an understated gem” by Record Of The Day.  

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Dolly Parton's Pure & Simple Debuts At #1 Worldwide!

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World-renowned singer/songwriter/entertainer Dolly Parton has a worldwide #1 album to celebrate this week. The superstar’s new release PURE & SIMPLE debuts at #1 not only in the U.S., but, also on the national country charts in Canada, U.K. and Australia. Dolly’s 43rd studio recording and the first release of her recently-announced joint venture between Dolly Records and Sony Music Nashville, achieves #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with first-week sales of 20,000 units! This marks the first time Dolly has topped Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in the 25-year history of SoundScan. The new album which released August 19th on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville lands the #11 slot on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart with a first-week total consumption of 21,000. On Billboard’s Americana/Folk Albums chart, the disc debuts at #1. In the UK, PURE & SIMPLE enters the all-genre album sales chart at #2, behind Frank Ocean’s Blonde. Upon hearing the news, Dolly Parton, who co-produced and wrote every song on PURE & SIMPLE, enthused, “Boy, it’s a good day for me. I am a happy girl!” She continued, “It feels great to be #1 as it’s been a long time and it feels so good to still be in the game after all this time.” Remarked Doug Morris, CEO, Sony Music Entertainment, “Congratulations, Dolly, for your stunning debut with PURE & SIMPLE.You put your heart and soul in this album, and we join you in celebrating a long-overdue #1 on the country album chart.” “I thought it was a magical time back in 1981, when I first started working with Dolly as we set up her Best Little Whorehouse album on RCA, right after her huge hit, 9 To 5,” reflected Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. “I spent a week with her on the RCA jet visiting radio and retail all over the country.” Goodman continued, “But, to be reunited with Dolly and have a #1 debut is wonderful. Thank you, Doug Morris for bringing Dolly back to RCA.” CTK Management CEO Danny Nozell said, “There is nobody more deserving of this tremendous success. Having worked with Dolly for the past 13 years, I have never met any person that works harder than her.” Nozell added, “She is a businesswoman that understands her brand and knows exactly what to do and when to do it, and once again, she proves it with a #1 album.” Last week, Dolly Parton made appearances on NBC’s Today and Tonight Show, among other TV shows.

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Phil Vassar's 'songs from the cellar' to launch on Sky TV in the UK

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Nashville hit songwriter Phil Vassar will launch his TV series ‘Songs From The Cellar’ in the UK on 6th September 2016, airing weekly on Sky’s Keep It Country channel. The show features guests from across the world of music and entertainment, ranging from Charles Esten (Nashville), John Rich, Charlie Daniels, and Cam to individuals outside of music like Mike Tyson and comedian Carrot Top. Phil will also debut brand new songs throughout the episodes, as well as introducing viewers to up-and-coming talent like The Cains and Shawn Lacy. In his own words: “I’m really excited about ‘Songs From the Cellar’ being on Keep It Country on Sky TV. I love playing in the UK – I’m always so impressed how the fans are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the artists… I hope we can tour the UK for years and years to come!” The first show will feature singer-songwriter Sarah Darling, who has opened for Carrie Underwood, played the Grand Ole Opry stage multiple times, and enjoyed success with her recent radio singles ‘Home to Me’ and ‘Little Umbrellas’. Sarah tours the UK in September as part of the Nashville in the Round tour. ‘Songs From the Cellar’ will air weekly on Tuesdays at 18:30, repeated on Saturdays. ABOUT PHIL VASSAR Phil Vassar is a piano-pounding powerhouse and an acclaimed entertainer. His career includes eight albums, two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year trophies, Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year, and countless hits as a singer and songwriter. Phil’s reign of signature songs include ten #1 singles and twenty-six Top 40 hits, including Carlene, Just Another Day in Paradise, Six-Pack Summer, That’s When I Love You and many more. His songs other artists have taken to #1 include My Next Thirty Years by Tim McGraw, She’s Right On The Money by Alan Jackson, and Jo Dee Messina’s Bye, Bye and I’m Alright. The UK is a key focus for Phil, who has visited twice so far in 2016, performing at Country to Country (C2C) in March and a European tour including the Buckle & Boots festival in June. Phil is planning several UK and European tours in 2017 along with the release of a European album.

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Dolly Parton Teams Up with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® to Release Deluxe Version of PURE & SIMPLE Album

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Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® today announced that Dolly Parton is its latest Spotlight Music artist. The legendary singer will exclusively release a deluxe version of her new album PURE & SIMPLE in Cracker Barrel stores nationwide. This deluxe offering of  features 10 new tracks inspired by Parton’s East Tennessee roots. The album is complemented by several pieces of content exclusive to Cracker Barrel, including two versions of the singer’s chart-topping hits Jolene and 9 to 5 recorded live at Glastonbury Festival and a 48-page magazine filled with photos and interviews highlighting memorable stories from Parton. The deluxe edition also includes coupons to various Parton attractions. To celebrate the album’s launch, Parton will host the Cracker Barrel Front Porch Series. This video series features Parton and some of today’s emerging artists as they play humorous games such as “You’re Sooooo Country,” “Real Song or Fake Song,” and “Dolly or Not Dolly.” The original content will be released on Cracker Barrel’s YouTube channel beginning Aug. 26. “My relationship with Cracker Barrel goes back a long way,” said Parton. “We are giving their guests something very special with this deluxe album filled with pictures and interviews from my past and present. I am very excited to be working with them on this project; we make a great team.” Parton is an iconic superstar with more than 100 million records sold worldwide. She has garnered 25 No. 1s on the Billboard Country Music Chart, received seven Grammy Awards, and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award. “Dolly has been a wonderful friend to Cracker Barrel for many years,” said Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Senior Marketing Manager Julie Ulmer. “With our shared Tennessee roots and authentic Southern styles, Dolly and Cracker Barrel are a natural fit. From limited edition rocking chairs to exclusive and gold-certified albums, we’ve had a long and successful relationship, which we’re incredibly proud to continue today.”

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RUNA releases RUNA LIVE! The Follow-Up To Their Critically-Acclaimed 'Current Affairs' Project

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Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups,” RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music into the Americana and roots music formats since their formation in 2008.  Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of jazz, bluegrass, flamenco and blues, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. Receiving lavish praise on both sides of the Atlantic, RUNA recently released their fifth album, RUNA LIVE, which was recorded at the BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, MD on Thursday, March 17th, 2016 and is a cross-pollination of RUNA’s signature roots sound with the overtones of Americana. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Dave Curley of Galway on mandolin, vocals, bodhrán, and step-dancing, and Maggie Estes of Kentucky on the fiddle.  Members of this esteemed band have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers, Liz Carroll, Ricky Scaggs, Hazel O’Conner, Fiddlers’ Bid, Barcó, Téada, Jonathan Edwards, and the Guy Mendilow Band. Seeking to preserve and continue a traditional culture in a modern age, RUNA creates the backbone of its signature roots sound from the musical and geographical diversity of its individually established band members.  Their strive for excellence and creativity blazes a trail for the future of folk music, earning them the reputation as one of the most innovative Irish folk groups of this generation. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and three Independent Music Awards including Best World/Traditional Song and Best Bluegrass Song. RUNA’s previous album Current Affairs, was hailed, by Marcene Bronson of The Celtic Crier, as “an incredible masterpiece”, and was nominated in the 2014 Irish Music Awards for “Best New Irish CD” and in the 2015 Independent Music Awards for “Best Bluegrass Song” (Ain’t No Grave) and Best World/Traditional Song (False Knight Upon the Road).

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