28 October 2016

Carie Rodriguez announces UK tour

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 

Carie Rodriguez announces UK tour Read More »

Kenny Chesney launches COSMIC HALLELUJAH

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.

Kenny Chesney launches COSMIC HALLELUJAH Read More »

the shires leaderboard

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

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.

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

Scroll to Top