October 2016

Sarah Darling Announces October 2016 Support Dates For Ward Thomas

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Sarah Darling is excited to announce she will be opening for UK chart toppers Ward Thomas on selected dates of their sixteen date October 2016 UK tour. Sarah will be joining Ward Thomas on October 17th in Cardiff and accompanying them on tour until October 25th in Exeter, calling at Bristol, Southampton, Manchester and Leamington in between. The stars have seemed to align for Sarah, as she will arrive at the same time as remnants of Halley’s Comet will be visible in the UK. “The most personal track on my upcoming album is called “Halley’s Comet.” It follows the journey of what it’s like to have a dream. All of my fans started tweeting a few days ago that Halley’s Comet’s tail will be sending off shooting stars in Britain all of October while I’m there opening for Ward Thomas!! I call it serendipitous.”  Sarah Darling October 2016 Tour Dates (Supporting Ward Thomas)  Mon, Oct 17 – The Globe, Cardiff  Tue, Oct 18 – The Fleece, Bristol Fri, Oct 21 – Engine Rooms, Southampton Sat, Oct 22 – Deaf Institute, Manchester  Mon, Oct 24 – The Assembly, Leamington Spa  Tue, Oct 25 – The Phoenix, Exeter  “I’m really looking forward to supporting Ward Thomas on their Cartwheels tour!  I’ve been fans of them for a really long time.   They have this light and happiness that’s absolutely contagious to watch! I can’t wait to share a little magic in the UK and introduce Dream Country ”says Sarah. It has been a busy and exciting year for Sarah Darling, with two very successful trips to the UK already, the first being London’s C2C Festival in March, where she performed on the BBC Radio 2 stage in the indigo2. Following the positive momentum from C2C – and witnessing the desire for country music in the UK – Sarah returned in September for a sold-out 12-date tour – one of her ‘greatest adventures’ – and released debut single, You Take Me All The Way, which features on the new record. The tour – ‘Nashville Nights, Songs in the Round’ – was a huge success in the UK, bringing a taste of Nashville and the Bluebird Café to British and Irish shores. Sarah also has announced her new album DREAM COUNTRY out January 27th. It takes the listener on a journey through aspirational, cinematic songs about stars, romance and dreams in Sarah’s escapist style which crosses country, Americana, jazz and contemporary pop. Following the end of a long term record deal, this album was a chance for the singer-songwriter to write a record that depicts where she is artistically, professionally and personally.

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Kelsea Ballerini toasts to Peter Pan with jet-setting #1 party

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Celebrating her high flying, third consecutive #1 single surrounded by planes and parachutes, Kelsea Ballerini and her music industry supporters toasted to the success of Peter Pan at a massive party held yesterday (10/12) in a Nashville airplane hangar. Standing alongside the song’s co-writers Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee, Ballerini told the assembled crowd it takes the hard work of many different people to climb so high. “This is bigger than me,” she said, before concluding with a promise to keep aiming for the stars and to make her believers proud. The chart-topping success of Peter Pan is a historic feat, making Ballerini the first female artist – including duos or groups – to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with her first three singles. Simultaneously, the fantasy-themed tune rose to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, also making Ballerini the first female artist to score a double #1. It is the first chart-topper for Lee and the second for songwriter/producer Whitehead, who also co-wrote Ballerini’s Love Me Like You Mean It. Decorating the cavernous space to mimic the feel of the “Peter Pan,” music video (directed by Kristin Barlowe), directed by Kristin Barlowe Ballerini, her co-writers and co-producer Jason Massey were presented with #1 plaques and gifts from ASCAP, BMI, and publishers ole and Black River Publishing, before Ballerini’s record label – Black River Entertainment – surprised the star with news that her debut album had just reached GOLD certification for sales of over 500,000 copies. Performing alongside her co-writers, the 23-year-old then delivered laid back acoustic renditions of Peter Pan and Yeah Boy, the fun-and-flirty fourth single from THE FIRST TIME, before joining in the celebration. Capping off an outstanding year, the Black River recording artist will receive CMT’s second-annual Breakout Artist of the Year award during the network’s 2016 Artists of the Year special, premiering October 20 at 9 p.m. ET, and November 2 will find her at the 50th annual CMA Awards where she is nominated in two categories: New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. She is also vying for Favorite Female Artist – Country at the fan-voted American Music Awards on November 20, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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Lillie Mae Rische joins third man records line-up

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Singer-songwriter-musician sets to work on next solo album with Jack White producing Set to appear with White on a prairie home companion this Saturday Teamed with Langhorne Slim for Third Man & Luck renunion ‘Luck Mansion Sessions’ Third Man Records has announced Lillie Mae Rische as the latest member of its growing roster. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter-musician is currently at work recording her much anticipated solo album with Third Man founder Jack White producing. “Lillie Mae has been performing on stage since she was 3 years old,” White said. “She is an incredible writer who can play an array of instruments and has paid her dues from the honky-tonks on Broadway to stages around the world. She is a beloved artist in Nashville, and I think it is safe to say that she is one in a billion. You wont find anyone else quite like this woman no matter how long you live.” “I’m proud to have become a part of the Third Man family, where there is no shortage of hard work and dedication to creating and making available the music we love so,” Rische said. “I’m forever thankful to Jack for believing in me and giving me a chance and all the freedom I’ve needed to make this album.” The album follows Rische’s debut single, Nobody’s b/w The Same Eyes, released in 2014 as part of Third Man’s ongoing Blue Series. Discovered by the legendary Cowboy Jack Clement when playing with her family band The Rische’s (formerly Jypsi), comprised of sisters Amber-Dawn, Scarlett, and Grace, and brother Frank, the country outfit can often still be heard at the historic Layla’s Bluegrass Inn in Nashville. Rische has also spent considerable time as a member of White’s crack touring and recording combo, playing fiddle and mandolin while also lending vocals to such tracks as Temporary Ground, from 2014’s LAZARETTO. She will once again join White on fiddle and backing vocals for a special acoustic performance on A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile this Saturday, October 15th, along with Dominic Davis and Fats Kaplin. Rische also recently partnered with Langhorne Slim to record two songs as part of Third Man & Luck Reunion’s ‘Luck Mansion Sessions’ during AmericanaFest in Nashville this past September. The songs will be released on 7-inch vinyl with an accompanying video in early 2017.

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Whisperin' Bill Anderson released audio book plus bonus acoustic CD with never before heard tracks

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Songwriting icon and legendary performer Whisperin’ Bill Anderson released his new autobiography Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life In Country Music September 1 and within two weeks, the entire first printing was sold out! . In addition, listeners can sit back and enjoy a NEW audio book narrated by Bill Anderson. The audio book bundle also includes a Bonus CD featuring 10 never-before released self-penned acoustic recordings by Anderson, including smash hits like Whiskey Lullaby (Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss), Give It Away (George Strait), City Lights (Ray Price) and seven more (track listing below). Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life In Country Music is a representation of Anderson’s journey, and published by University of Georgia Press. Read by Bill Anderson himself it features eye-opening personal stories from his nearly eighty years of living – from early days of radio broadcasting in Georgia, to standing alongside the greatest country music stars in the world onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, to meeting Elvis Presley, to being named BMI’s first ICON Award winner in the country music genre. The book is a 360-page representation of Anderson’s journey published by University of Georgia Press featuring respected music journalist and Grammy-nominated music producer Peter Cooper as a contributing writer. It includes rare, never-before-seen photos and eye-opening personal stories from Anderson’s nearly eighty years of living – from early days of radio broadcasting in Georgia, to standing alongside the greatest country music stars in the world onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, to being named BMI’s first ICON Award winner in the country music genre. With the 2015 success of Mo Pitney’s Country, Anderson has become the only country songwriter to tally a Top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades, and he stands today a legendary performer, who recently celebrated his 55th Anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The youngest writer to ever be named ‘Songwriter Of The Year’ (BMI) at age 23, prior to 21-year-old Taylor Swift, Anderson has certainly lived an unprecedented life in country music. Fans, artists, songwriters and music executives young and old revere him for his soft speaking style that can silence a room with just a few poignant words. But there was a time in the early 90s that Bill felt as if his words no longer mattered. “I didn’t write much anymore because I didn’t feel as if what I wanted to write related to what young listeners wanted to hear,” he revealed. However, it was in 1992 that singer/songwriter Steve Wariner helped to re-ignite Anderson’s writing career with a cover of Tips Of My Fingers. The exposure the song received made Anderson test the waters as a co-writer, and in 1994, he teamed up with Vince Gill to write Which Bridge To Cross (Which Bridge To Burn).

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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin' Back: Celebrating 50 Years Tops Bluegrass Chart at #1, Reaches #11 on Country Albums

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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 Yearsconcert album, released Sept. 30 on NGDB’s own label, distributed by Warner Nashville. As of yesterday’s SoundScan report,Circlin’ Back hit #11 both on the Country Albums chart and Americana Folk chart, while topping the Bluegrass chart at #1 in the first week of sales. About the record: 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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Alan Cackett’s 50th Anniversary in Music: a Celebration

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Exchange Studio, Maidstone September 30, 2016 Alan Cackett is an iconic figure in the music world and his encyclopaedic knowledge of country music is unrivalled. Alan’s passion began with an innocent record collecting hobby. By September 1966, he was editing and producing two magazines and ever since has been involved in promoting tours, organising festivals, magazine publishing/editing, music writing and is well known to ‘Maverick’ readers as former editor, radio presenter and for his enthusiastic promotion of live music. So it was fitting that an invited audience packed the Exchange Studio for a nostalgic evening of country music presented by Bob Harris and Roger ‘Twiggy’ Day. The evening opened with a short set of well known country numbers from the Kevin Duffy Band who were joined by special guest Ray Duffy of the legendary Duffy Brothers. Sarah Lucy Dole, with daughter Chloe and guitarist Anthony Coote gave us just three numbers before family band Rich Pickin’s came up with a set of acoustic country and bluegrass. Then it was the wonderful Haley Sisters. Jo-Ann and Becky with their amazing guitarist Brian Smith, who have been harmonising beautifully for nigh on thirty years and if I had to pick out a highlight, The Last Thing on My Mind was simply sublime; classic country. International super star Gail Davies flew in from Nashville especially for the evening and after cobbling together Dave Luke (mandolin, guitar), Clovis (bass) and the legendary B. J. Cole (steel) at ridiculously short notice, delivered a superb set which included my favourite Gail Davies number Someone is Looking for Someone Like You. The Jonny Young Four featured in Alan’s first venture as a promoter in 1969. Long since retired and now looking rather frail, Jonny was clearly suffering from a sore throat but willingly agreed to do one last show. Alan was overcome with emotion as JY and his band plus B. J. Cole rolled back the years with the likes of Streets of Baltimore. Two of our undiscovered treasures, Alan West and Steve Black with guitarist Adam Sweet drove from the West Country to reminisce over their 25 year association with Alan. Missing My Woman, ‘Blackies’ song about life on the M25 seemed appropriate. It was left to the fully electric Porridge Band to close the evening as they rocked us out with When Will I be Loved before all the performing artists were welcomed back to the stage for a hand clapping finale of Will the Circle be Unbroken. During the evening tributes were read out with video messages from the likes of Gretchen Peters, Suzy Bogguss, Matraca Berg, Kimmie Rhodes et al, all of whom have had their careers influenced by Alan; a wonderful evening and a fitting tribute which also raised around £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. John Roffey To donate please see here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alan-Cackett

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Eleanor McEvoy: Naked Tour 2016

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Eleanor McEvoy UK tour dates: Sun 13th Nov: Glasgow (Westend): Sounds in the Suburbs at The Woodend http://tickets-scotland.com/events.html?event_method=viewevent&event_id=c1c3c171-7b32-11e6-b2cc-22000b75ede9 Tue 15th: Glasgow (Southside): The Glad Café http://www.wegottickets.com/event/374911 Thu: 17th: Irvine: Harbour Arts Centre http://www.freckfest.co.uk Fri: 18th: Airdrie/Motherwell: Berits & Brown http://www.intimate-gigs.com Sat 19th: Cambeltown: The Ceol http://www.ceolcampbeltown.com/ Sun 20th: Cove: Village Hall http://www.coveburghhall.uk/ Mon 21st: Hawick: String Theory @ The Heart of Hawick http://www.heartofhawick.co.uk

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Jimmy Fortune Featuring The Oak Ridge Boys Honoured With 'Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year' at the 47th Annual Dove Awards

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The Gospel Music Association hosted the 47th Annual Dove Awards last night at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Fortune took home the award for ‘Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year’ for the track Life’s Railway to Heaven, which features legendary quartet The Oak Ridge Boys. The song was featured on Fortune’s latest critically-acclaimed album HITS & HYMNS which became the Gospel Music Hall of Fame singer’s first solo top ten project on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. “I’m extremely honored and humbled to win my first Dove award, and sharing the win with my friends The Oak Ridge Boys makes it even more special,” said Fortune. “To be recognized by the Gospel Music Association is one of the biggest moments of my life. I will treasure it forever, and I thank God for the opportunity to do this project with producer Ben Isaacs and the Gaither Music Group community.” “The Oak Ridge Boys were at a sound check at Renfro Valley, Ken., about twenty years ago when, out of the blue, we started singing ‘Life’s Railway To Heaven,’” said Duane Allen, of The Oak Ridge Boys. “It felt so good we added it to the show that night. Since then, the song has become a regular part of our shows, so it seemed natural when Jimmy Fortune asked us to record it with him for his latest album. Now… we’re humbled and honored to hear that it has won a Dove Award. Congratulations Jimmy! Thank you for inviting us to be a part of the magic.” Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the awards show on Sunday, Oct. 16. The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by over 1,600 professional members, and winners are voted on by the entire GMA membership of nearly 2,500.

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Broken Witt Rebels unveil official music video for new single Georgia Pine

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New single dovetails the band’s support slot on King King’s November tour. The Birmingham-piece rock and blues band, Broken Witt Rebels have today launched the official video for their new single Georgia Pine. The single dovetails the band’s forthcoming 12-date UK tour with King King that kicks off at Brighton’s The Old Market on Wednesday 9th November. Georgia Pine is the third single and title track from the Birmingham, UK, band’s recent EP release. The Georgia Pine EP was previously only available on CD and digital formats, but will be issued on limited edition and numbered 10-inch vinyl on November 9. The band invited fans to star in the Georgia Pine video by submitting their fan photos and video clips. The video which was shot on smartphones in partnership with mobile filming app Seenit, captures the incredible journey the band have been on, ever since their previous single Guns was featured on the front page of YouTube. Broken Witt Rebels have been nominated for Best Live Act and Best Rock Act at the inaugural Unsigned Music Awards, which will be held at London’s Troxy on October 27. The band will close the event with a live performance of recent single Guns. The following night, October 28, a Broken Witt Rebels electric session filmed for The Friday Night Rock Show on Vintage TV, will be televised.

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Garth Brooks surprises 2016 CMA broadcast awards winners

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Garth Brooks wasn’t calling Baton Rouge, but he was dialing Houston, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, and Springfield today to alert winners of the CMA Broadcast Awards. Brooks, who is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has received 32 career CMA Awards nominations including Entertainer of the Year in 2016. He has won 11 CMA Awards beginning with the Horizon Award in 1990 (now New Artist of the Year) and Entertainer of the Year four times (1991, 1992, 1997, 1998). “Radio plays an integral role in our format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “These winners are advocates for Country Music in their markets and we are honored to be able to recognize their accomplishments and valued contributions to our industry.” The winners of the 2016 CMA Broadcast Awards are: 2016 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners National – “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One Major Market – “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. Large Market – “The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio Medium Market – “The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn. Small Market – “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C. 2016 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners Major Market – KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas Large Market – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio Medium Market – WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn. Small Market – KTTS – Springfield, Mo. The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and format leadership. CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions. CMA Broadcast Award winners are not eligible to enter in consecutive years; therefore, those who received trophies in 2015 were not eligible in 2016. The professional services organization Deloitte & Touche LLP tabulates scoring by the judges. Winners will be recognized at “The 50th Annual CMA Awards” to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live on the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host Country Music’s Biggest Night™.

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