October 2016 - STAGING Maverick

Brandy Clark releases special version of Hold My Hand with legendary Dwight Yoakam

Four-time GRAMMY nominee Brandy Clark, and 21-time nominated, multiple GRAMMY Award winner, Dwight Yoakam release a recorded version of their highly-regarded duet performance of Clark’s Hold My Hand today. The two teamed up at the 2015 GRAMMY Awards, where Clark was nominated for Best New Artist, for a beautiful performance of the song – then for a recording of the duet after that. The original version of Hold My Hand is off Clark’s debut album, 12 STORIES, which was GRAMMY-nominated for Best New Album the year they performed. Yoakam has been part of well-known collaborations in the past, including his rendition of Same Old Train that featured Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs and Marty Stuart and earned him a GRAMMY nomination for Best Collaboration with Vocals. Yoakam contributed his unmistakable harmonies on the Hold My Hand recording, and when they got together for a show in Arkansas in August, 2016 they revisited the recording. Ultimately, they decided it was too good not to release.“Dwight added something so special to Hold My Hand both at the GRAMMY performance and then on the track itself,” said Clark. “We had both forgotten about it until we had a show together. In catching up backstage one night we came up with the idea to put it out – for no other reason than we both loved it so much and thought it was a shame to just be ‘sitting on a shelf.’ Music is made to be heard and we definitely wanted this version to be shared.”

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The Kentucky Headhunters to premiere tracks from new album ON SAFARI on Siriusxm outlaw country Ch. 60

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The Kentucky Headhunters are going “On Safari” with former WWE Superstar Hillbilly Jim, as they premiere tracks from their new album this weekend on SiriusXM Outlaw Country Channel 60’s “Hillbilly Jim’s Haunted Hayride.” The special will air Saturday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m. ET and Monday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. ET. Long considered “Southern Rock Royalty,” The Kentucky Headhunters continue to live up to the hype with ON SAFARI, which serves as a nod to family and the Southern way of life. A perfect fit for their long-time friend and fellow Kentuckian, Hillbilly Jim, who serves up 200-proof down-home country and southern-fried rock & roll every weekend on SiriusXM Outlaw Country. “It’s always an unbelievable treat to have The Kentucky Headhunters on my show, as our friendship goes back to when we were all young men together,” said Jim “Hillbilly Jim” Morris. “In my opinion not only are they one of the best bands in this country, but in any country, anywhere.”

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REVIEW: Red Moon Road SORROWS AND GLORIES

Top Picks / Editor

Red Moon Road SORROWS AND GLORIES Manitoba Film and Music ***** Blissfully beautiful folk that will have you harmonising with your hips swaying. Aptly titled Sorrows and Glories, Red Moon Road return with their third studio album, which was recorded in the aftermath of an accident which saw lead singer Sheena Rattai need to take time out of a life on the road to recover from an accident. The record itself covers the healing period as well as many of the highs the band have experienced in their ever-growing career. Essentially a folk trio that centre their sound on a harmony drive, the real star on Sorrows and Glories is the crisp, clear and emotionally rich vocal of Rattai at the albums centre. While the charming harmonies have echoes of Britain’s finest Americana trio Red Sky July, they appear to be less integral to the finished sound of Red Moon Road. While the trio do mix up vocal duties along the way, with both Daniel Péloquin-Hopfner and Daniel Jordan in fine voice, it is when they deliver gospel driven harmonies to Rattai’s vocal that the spine really tingles. At their most striking, The Lumineers’ flavoured I’ll Bend But I Won’t Break and the powerfully spiritual a capella opener Beauty In Their Broken Bones, Red Moon Band manage to take subject matter that is common to the genre but deliver them with an inspired edge that will etch them for all eternity in your memory. With an ability to make the everyday seem enticing, and a personal story that is truly moving thrown in to mix, Red Moon Road catapult their third studio album into the elite of their genre. This is a record that not just needs to be added in to your collection, but warrants the trio that created it to be awarded a flurry of awards. Jeremy Williams-Chalmers

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Carie Rodriguez announces UK tour

Live events, News / Editor

Carrie Rodriguez, acclaimed singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, announces a headline November UK tour, following her recent project, the celebrated Spanish/English album LOLA, released in the UK earlier this year. Carrie will perform at the Old Queens Head in London on 9th November, promoted by the Green Note. A passionate performer, Carrie effortlessly melds fiery fiddle playing, electrifying vocals and a fresh interpretation of new and classic songs with an “Ameri-Chicana” attitude. Lola is both a return to her musical roots and something of a departure where she delivers her own twangy, Texas-bred twist on Mexican Ranchera songs, creating culturally blended music for a culturally blended world. Inspired by the 1940’s-era recordings of Carrie’s great aunt, Chicana singing sensation Eva Garza, the album is a mixture of new and old songs. It features Spanish songs written by some of Carrie’s favorite Mexican composers, as well as her own Ranchera-inspired original songs written in English, Spanish and “Spanglish.” Produced by Lee Townsend, the album is supported by an all-star band, The Sacred Hearts, assembled especially for this project. The band features internationally acclaimed composer/ guitarist Bill Frisell, Viktor Krauss on bass, Luke Jacobs on pedal steel and guitars, David Pulkingham on nylon string guitar and electric guitar and Brannen Temple on drums and percussion. The crowdfunded project, supported entirely by friends and fans, was released on Feb. 19, 2016 by Carrie’s own label, Luz Records. Carrie, an Austin native, began playing violin at age five. Her training quickly became the passion and focus of her childhood, and by age 10, she had performed at Carnegie Hall. She continued the classical track in her first year at Oberlin Conservatory, then shifted gears to pursue her true love affair with the fiddle—staying true to her Texas roots at the Berklee College of Music Early in her career, a collaboration with singer-songwriter Chip Taylor resulted in four highly acclaimed duet albums. Her subsequent solo albums highlight the diversity of her musical identity, from her debut SEVEN ANGELS ON A BYCICLE to 2013’s GIVE ME ALL YOU GOT which reached no. 1 on the Americana Music Charts. Carrie has toured, recorded and co-written songs with legendary artists such as Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Bill Frisell, Rickie Lee Jones, Mary Gauthier, Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo and Los Lonely Boys, among others. She has made numerous television and radio appearances, including Austin City Limits, The Tonight Show and A Prairie Home Companion. She has been profiled in many publications, including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Times of London, The New Yorker, the Washington Post and many more. NOVEMBER UK TOUR DATES Thursday 3rd November The Kitchen Garden Cafe – Birmingham Friday 4th November The Live Room @ Caroline Social Club – Saltaire Saturday 5th November The Victoria Hotel – Menai Bridge Sunday 6th November Henry Tudor House – Shrewsbury Wednesday 9th November Green Note @ The Old Queen’s Head – Islington Friday 11th November Town Hall Live – Kirton-in-Lindsey Saturday 12th November Woodend Gallery – Scarborough Sunday 13th November The Wee Gig @ Abington Village Hall – South Lanarkshire Tuesday 15th November Fallen Angel Presents @ The Admiral – Glasgow Thursday 17th November The Voodoo Rooms – Edinburgh

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Kenny Chesney launches COSMIC HALLELUJAH

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With USA Today already weighing in with “Kenny Chesney goes ‘deeper’ on new album,” COSMIC HALLELUJAH is getting ready to bow Friday, Oct. 28 – after delays for creative expansion, a No. 1 this week, a duet with rock/pop superstar P!NK “Setting the World on Fire,” and a cadre of media appearances to draw the No Shoes Nation even further into the follow-up to his four straight No. 1-yielding The Big Revival. “This record is personal to me,” says the four-time Country Music Association and four consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year. “It was an unusual path, but I think it took the album as a whole to new places, something I always want to do with the No Shoes Nation. If The Big Revival was ‘wake up and get back to living,’ COSMIC HALLELUJAH balances being aware with embracing every thrill that comes with being alive – and knowing those thrills are right in front of you, if you just pay attention. And it’s funny: the questions asked for this have been the best in my entire career.” Kicking things off with appearances on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and a taped piece with Natalie Morales on the beach for “Today,” then appearances on “James Corden” and “The Talk” on Tuesday, Nov. 1. For the always reticent songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee, the opportunity to talk about the energy he rode into the studio while recording four additional songs for COSMIC HALLELUJAH has yielded some of his most insightful media yet. Jesus And Elvis bows on NPR’s prestigious All Songs Considered today. The Hayes Carll/Allison Moorer/Matraca Berg song celebrates LaLa’s Little Nugget in Austin, Texas, but it’s really about those places that are sanctuaries for real life in all our lives. “I made a really good record with Some Town, Somewhere,” marvels the man who’s headlined 135 major stadiums, “and it was a core sample of the No Shoes Nation. But between that being-in-the-moment charge of ‘Setting The World On Fire’ with P!NK – and she’s so electric and amazing – finally finding a place for ‘Coach,’ and a few new songs, COSMIC HALLELUJAH turned into this top-of-the-rollercoaster kind of throw-your-hands-up-and-embrace-every-awesome moment life hands you kind of song cycle.” With a lyric video for “Rich & Miserable” and instant grat “Trip Around The Sun” already out, there’s all kinds of music coming for fans of the man from Tennessee.

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The Shires hit America! Country stars become first ever UK act to sign to Big Machine label group

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UK country superstars, The Shires, make music history by becoming first UK country act to sign to high profile USA-based country record label. Big Machine label group president/CEO Scott Borchetta signs The Shires, following he release of MY UNIVERSE, the fastest-selling UK country album of all time. UK country duo The Shires make music history today by signing a ground-breaking record deal with the Nashville-based Big Machine Label Group under the historic Dot Records imprint. The Shires, whose second album , MY UNIVERSE became the fastest-selling UK Country album of all time in the UK upon release three weeks ago, today joined the ranks of prominent US Big Machine Label Group Country artists, including Tim McGraw, Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett, by signing an exclusive recording deal with the leading US Country music record label. The Shires are BMLG’s first ever UK signing. Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes of The Shires stated: “We are absolutely thrilled to sign with Dot Records in the USA. The UK is our home and we are proud of our success so far, thanks to Decca Records, but it’s always been a massive goal for us to build our presence and make a name for ourselves in the USA. Scott was one of the first people to approach us as a band, after hearing our original demos nearly three years ago. His advice back then was clear, to break the UK first and come to the US with a story. We took his advice and are extremely excited to be working with him and his team in the US. It is the home of Country Music and what better label could any act ever hope to sign with than Dot Records! Scott, Chris and their team are incredible at what they do and have worked with some of the biggest names in Country music history – we can’t wait to get started!” Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, commented, “I’ve been watching The Shires closely and from afar, and now the time is right to have them join the family. I can’t wait for America to experience The Shires!” The Shires have already had significant success on both sides of the Atlantic. In the US, they have graced the stage at the famous Grand Ole Opry, adding their names alongside Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks and a veritable who’s who of Country music who have all played at the famous Nashville landmark venue. Regulars to Nashville, The Shires have already worked with top country music writers, and their current album was recorded at Sound Stage Studios, one of the most prestigious recording studios in Nashville, which has cut records for other Country superstars such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum.

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Luke Bell to release self-titled album November 11

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Up-and-coming country troubadour Luke Bell releases his self-titled album on November 11th on Bill Hill Records / Thirty Tigers. Produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Benjamin Booker) at The Bomb Shelter studio in East Nashville, LUKE BELL emphatically puts its creator in the vanguard of traditionally rooted contemporary writer/artists. A fifth-generation descendant of Wyoming homesteaders, former ranch hand Luke Bell has seen a lot of life in his 26 years, and his self-titled album serves as a rollicking document of his experiences. The record is teeming with colourful characters, captured in hardscrabble yarns of living hard and drinking harder, making bad choices and laughing them off. There’s a little bit of their author in each of these flawed but redeemable characters—and at a time when authenticity is in short supply, Bell has come along to remind us what it feels like to be truly alive and open to the possibilities of existence in a captivating album that puts the cowboy back into country & western. Bell came of age with dirt collecting under his fingernails and music working its way into his head. He remembers the summers he spent working on his grandparents’ ranch, starting at the age of 13, as “lots of hot days, Randy Travis tapes and old pick-up trucks with broken door handles”, the words sounding like a line from one of his songs. “When I was out there workin’ for my grandparents the summer after I graduated from high school, it kinda took hold,” Bell recalls about his deepening interest in music. “I grew up with country radio, of course, Randy Travis, Toby Keith and all that stuff. But I didn’t become influenced by classic country until I found a record player and Merle Haggard’s Live From Muscogee in my grandparents’ basement, and took ’em to this little house I was livin’ in. I thought that record was really cool; I’d listen to it all the time after work. Then I found some other stuff, like Waylon. And my grandfather was always a huge fan of Hank Snow and Ian Tyson, cowboy music and poetry, so I grew up around a lot of that stuff by default.” Eventually, songs of his own began to take shape—songs rooted in those old records, working the soil and knocking ’em back, taking life as it comes in Big Sky Country. He spent a couple of years studying agriculture at the University of Wyoming by day and playing music in front of crowds of folkies at the Buckhorn Bar by night. When the music started crowding out the classwork, he headed to the bright lights of Austin, where he worked a succession of jobs – including shoeing horses – while cutting his teeth on the live circuit. He then spent six months in New Orleans before moving to Nashville, where he currently resides. Nashville was the right place at the right time for Bell, who continued to write and perform. Rolling Stone noticed, stating that Bell “plays classic honky-tonk with a wink and a yodel that summons the sleeping ghosts of country better than any voodoo spell ever could. Bell’s shows are welcome excuses to click your boots and down an extra sniff of bourbon. And songs like ‘Sometimes’ are such uncanny time warps they almost make his sets appear in Technicolor.”

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Eric Church to release Mr. Misunderstood On The Rocks Live & (Mostly) Unplugged Nov 4

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Eric Church is deep in planning and rehearsals for his Holdin’ My Own Tour that kicks-off in January, however until fans get their fix in-person, Eric Church is answering their demand with a new release, Mr. Misunderstood On the Rocks Live & (Mostly) Unplugged. The collection features seven songs, six from Mr. Misunderstood, recorded at the Red Rocks Amphitheater is Morrison, Colo. Church commemorates the surprise release of Mr. Misunderstood on its one-year anniversary— when he dropped it unannounced during the 49th CMA Awards after sending over 80,000 copies directly to his fans. True to his fans-first approach, Church invited those at home to partake in his two-night concert as he broadcast not only part of his show, but also his announcement of his 60+ city 2017 Holdin’ My Own Tour from Facebook Live. Mr. Misunderstood On the Rocks Live, Church’s first live album since 2013’s Caught in the Act: Live, captures this special collection of performances including a Red Rocks Medley of Mistress Named Music and a cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. The release of the Red Rocks album comes as the seven-time GRAMMY nominee celebrates his second single off Mr. Misunderstood, Record Year hitting the top of the charts. Fans can enjoy the live recording of the three-time CMA Awards and five-time ACM Awards Winner’s recently-released, pertinent current single, Kill a Word that “unpacks a mighty image” [AXS] on On the Rocks Live available at Walmart retailers country-wide Nov. 4.

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Aaron Lewis kicks off Sinner tour with sold-out show in Los Angeles

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On the heels of his No. 1 album debut, Aaron Lewis officially kicked off his headlining SINNER TOUR with a sold-out performance at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA last night. The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter welcomed the capacity crowd by starting the show the way he does all of his performances – with the Pledge of Allegiance. He then launched into his Platinum-selling hit Country Boy followed by the title track from the new album SINNER. The set also included his current single That Ain’t Country, Northern Redneck and Mama, in addition to Staind hit It’s Been Awhile and a cover of Richard Marx’s Right Here Waiting. The patriotic entertainer made a stop in Hawaii over the weekend for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Rock the Troops event. Set to air in December on Spike TV, Lewis showed his appreciation for this Country’s military by performing alongside other A-list entertainers Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Terry Crews, retired Marine Rob Riggle, musicians Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nick Jonas, Flo Rida and Tenacious D, featuring Black and partner Kyle Gass. Lewis will make his debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, airing November 2 on CBS. While Nashville celebrates at the Country Music Association Awards, the outspoken singer will perform in New York City. The SINNER TOUR continues to make its run on the West Coast this week, before heading to New York City on November 15 for a special headlining date at The Beacon Theater for Budweiser One Night Only: Aaron Lewis.

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The Oak Ridge Boys Honour Johnny Cash at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 21st Annual Music Masters

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This past Friday, Country Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys paid tribute to their friend and collaborator, Johnny Cash, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 21st Annual Music Masters at Playhouse Square’s State Theatre in Cleveland. The Johnny Cash tribute concert, the pinnacle of a week of events paying tribute to the Man in Black, featured one-of-a-kind performances from The Oak Ridge Boys, Sam Bush, Paul Cauthen, Ana Cristina, Ira Dean, Nikki Lane, Terry McBride, Bill Miller, Charlie Worsham, Cash’s longtime drummer WS Holland, Mike Ness of Social Distortion, Eilen Jewell and L.A. punk band X, while John Carter Cash served as executive bandleader and keyboardist Tony Harrell as band director. Each year, the Music Masters series explores the legacy of one of those pioneering figures through a range of events that includes Museum exhibits, lectures, films, a major conference and a tribute concert benefiting the Rock Hall’s education department. Drawing together music experts, artists, fans and friends, these events aim to provide new perspectives on some of the most beloved and influential musicians of the past century. The Music Masters series began in 1996 when the museum paid tribute to Woody Guthrie with a 10-day celebration of his life and legacy. Other honorees have included Aretha Franklin, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew, Janis Joplin, Jimmie Rodgers and more.

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